Documenting praxis shock in early-career Australian music teachers: the impact of pre-service teacher education

Abstract

[Abstract]: Early-career music teachers are well placed to comment on the effectiveness of pre-service teacher education. Their perceptions are particularly relevant in determining why music teachers are ‘burning out’ at an early stage of their career. This paper explores 15 early-career Australian music teachers’ perceptions of their job, and their perceived preparedness for the workforce. Their stories suggest that although they feel a ‘passion’ towards teaching music, they see their early experiences in secondary schools as a time where they will either ‘sink or swim’, and where they see themselves as a ‘one-man-band’. Analysis suggests that praxis shock in early-career music teachers is directly related to the unique experiences of being a music teacher. The paper concludes with recommendations for pre-service courses to address issues of praxis shock in early-career music teachers.