The Moral Matters of Teaching: A Finnish Perspective

• Published in: From Teacher Thinking to Teachers and Teaching: The Evolution of a Research Community Vol. 19; pp. 223 - 239
• Main Authors: Tirri, Kirsi, Toom, Auli, Husu, Jukka
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Emerald Group Publishing Limited 24-06-2013
• ISBN: 9781781908501; 1781908508
• ISSN: 1479-3687
• DOI: 10.1108/S1479-3687(2013)0000019014

This chapter provides a synthesis of the literature having to do with the moral matters of teaching. It is organized around three themes: (a) teacher’s professional ethics and values, (b) teacher’s moral sensitivity, action, and judgment, and (c) school ethos and community. Each theme is first dealt with separately. Then, the themes are related to one another to show the interconnectedness between and among them. Exemplars in this work are drawn from the authors’ and others’ substantial body of research conducted in Finland. The research findings, however, have an applicability that extends beyond national borders. The intent of this work is to stimulate discussion and to advance what is known about the moral nature of teaching through using a range of research methods and conducting studies in live school settings.