Teachers' professional development in private schools

This study employs a qualitative research design to analyze teachers' professional development in terms of private school teachers considering the framework of lifelong learning and marketization in education. First, discourse analysis was made on national and international documents regarding teachers' professional development. Then interviews have been held with both teacher trainers and teachers and leaders from private schools about their experiences on professional development. 10 teachers, 5 school leaders and 5 professional development providers were interviewed. Content analysis was employed with the data collected through discourse analysis and interviews. According to the results of the study, national and international documents emphasized the importance of teachers' professional development as a necessity to achieve the aims of educational reforms and raise successful students as well as continuous participation in professional development is important for teacher quality. In addition, school based, collaborative and career phase focused professional development models and accredited professional development activities are highlighted as what makes a professional development effective. According to the experiences of teacher trainers, private school teachers and leaders, professional development is related to working in a private school, qualified workforce and unique to each school as well. Teachers are extrinsically motivated to participate in professional development in terms of school requirements, as a way of finding jobs and networking or getting interested thanks to the commercials. From the point of intrinsic motivation, teachers are keen to participate in professional development because they are open to learning and enjoying the results of the professional development in terms of students and society. Also, it is found that teachers are glad from a professional development activity when they receive quick tips and takeaways, have chances to access easily and interact with others as well as have fun. Overall findings indicate that professional development of private school teachers is defined and operates beyond adult education in the context of lifelong learning and neoliberal transformations in education. Professional development is both a goal and tool for private schools in order to maintain their structure based on making profit. Key Words: Lifelong learning, adult education, teachers' professional development, neoliberal transformation, marketization