Exploring the why : how expatriate teachers engage in environmental education

Abstract

Expatriate teachers do not always have a strong connection to the place in which they are living (Richardson, von Kirchenheim & Richardson, 2006). How might this lack of connection affect how they teach environmental education? Our qualitative study explored the lived experiences of how five expatriate teachers engaged in environmental education. Using action research, we participated as a team and learned more about our perceptions of environmental education and explored how these perceptions influence our teaching. We found that our previous knowledge and passion effected how we taught environmental education. After researching how different people view and implement environmental education we reflected on our research to improve our taught curriculum. Then we used a participatory action research model to reflect and re-design our current environmental education learning engagements. After the completed research we all agreed that this method of reflection worked for us and we would continue the PAR process.