Exploring Pre-Service Teachers’ Professional Perceptions Through Media

This study aims to explore the professional perceptions of senior pre-service science teachers through news on the teaching profession. Participants in this phenomenological study were selected using convenience and criterion sampling methods. In the data collection process, participants were first asked to select professional news that caught their attention in the media; then, their feelings and thoughts regarding the news that attracted the most attention were identified. The findings reveal that participants mostly interested in news themed around career planning, performance, violence, economic conditions and educational practices. Participants evaluated 68% of the news they shared as negative. It was found that participants experienced emotions such as sadness, anger, fear and surprise in response to news about appointment quotas, the interview process, the National Education Academy, violence against teachers and insufficient salaries. In contrast, they exhibited positive emotions such as joy, confidence and hope in response to news presenting teachers’ success stories. In conclusion, this study revealed that the professional perceptions of pre-service teachers became visible in line with their evaluations of news related to teaching. The findings of the study highlight the importance of improving educational policies and employment processes related to the teaching profession.