Running head: LITERATURE REVIEW 1

Literature Review – Debbie Sonu

Lesli Nevarez

National University

Completed as partial requirements for TED690

Prof. Darryl Wyatt

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Abstract

Teaching Performance Expectation (TPE) 6 is Developing as a Professional Educator. Debbie

Sonu in her article “Friendship, Education, and Justice Teaching: The Professional Development

of Two Teacher-Friends” discusses the idea that friendship is a key factor in a new teacher’s

success and a veteran teacher’s growth. As such Sonu argues that teacher-friendships should be

looked upon as professional development and teachers should be given the time to foster those

relationships.
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Professional Development can take many forms and is vital to the success of any educator.

To grow educators must first admit that they have weaknesses, are vulnerable to errors, and will

need support at times. While most of the day is spent as the only adult in the classroom, that does

not mean they have to do it all on their own. One way for teachers to grow is through friendship.

Debbie Sonu (2013) says “Without the fears of discipline and the consequences of uncertainty,

teacher-friendships may be the only mean by which teachers admit vulnerabilities, rise above

institutional demand, and attend to their longings and limitations.” (p.19) With this idea in mind,

developing friendships should be a part of every teacher’s professional development plan.

Most people in the education field recognize the need for new teachers to have a support

group of teachers. Some districts try to foster support and friendship through critical friend

groups or CFGs. Members are administratively directed and they often involve outside

consultants to facilitate activities. According to Sonu (2013) “such groups may not establish any

of the tenets common to friendships (i.e. reciprocity, affirmation, visibility, care, counsel,

voluntary fidelity).” (p.21) Rather teachers need to actively initiate contact themselves and find

the time to foster new friendships. Sonu (2013) studied two people who are teacher friends that

support each other. These two people work at an inner city school and use their friendship not

just for support in low times, but also as a way to discuss and be more confident to step out of

their comfort zones to try new ways and approaches to help their students. Sonu (2013) writes

about Tina’s perspective on her friendship, “Trust becomes foundational to her admittance of

vulnerability and her willingness to receive counsel.” (p.22)

Today’s focus on test scores, strong involvement of parents, and the policy of last teacher

in and first teacher out, results in teachers feeling pressured to meet timelines and potentially

teach to the tests. This can result in a feeling of isolation. Teachers may feel like they are
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competing against each other rather than a member of a team that is trying to do the best they can

for every single student. This can make it almost impossible for any teacher, but especially a new

teacher to feel like they can ask for help, acknowledge uncertainty, or admit that they have made

an error. Sonu (2013) states “the presence of a friend may enable one to disentangle from the

disciplinary processes that function to silence alternatives and justify a state of subjugation.”

(p.25)

Through friendship a teacher can have someone they trust to discuss classroom issues,

administrative issues, or personal issues that are impacting their ability to do their job. Sonu

(2013) notes “it is a friend, as a sort of ‘mirror’, through which an individual gains in self-

knowledge and activity.” (p.25) A strong friendship of a colleague that understands the stresses

of being an educator can provide the needed support to help new teachers navigate their jobs as

well as help them to discover new ways to handle situations or teach their students. Since this

growth and continual improvement is the point of professional development, fostering strong

friendships should be seen as a critical part of any professional development plan and teachers

should be given the time to make those connections.

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References

Sonu, Debbie. (2013). Friendship, Education, and Justice Teaching: The Professional

Development of Two Teacher-Friends. Teaching & Learning, 27(1), 19-34.