CUKUROVA UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF EDUCATION JOURNAL, cilt.47, sa.2, ss.538-565, 2018 (ESCI)
This research aims to determine the problems of classroom teachers based on their teaching experiences. To achieve this goal, the problems of classroom teachers working in primary schools with low, medium and high socio-economic status (SES) were examined independently. This qualitative study was conducted using the phenomenological research design. Ten of the participating classroom teachers were working at primary schools with low SES, 11 were with medium SES and 9 were with high SES schools. The data were collected through focus group interviews using a semi-structured interview form. The group interviews were conducted in three different schools and in groups of 4, 5 and 6 classroom teachers. Each interview lasted 30-40 minutes on average. The data were analysed through the content analysis method, a frequently used method in qualitative research. The findings reveal that the problems of classroom teachers working in primary schools with low SES can be grouped under the themes of "The problems stemming from education system", " The problems stemming from parents and the environment" and "The problems stemming from teachers". The problems of teachers working in primary schools with a medium and high SES can be grouped under the themes of "The problems stemming from education system", "The problems stemming from parents and the environment", "The problems stemming from teachers", and "The problems stemming from school and the classroom atmosphere".