Experiences and expectations: Narratives of immigrant early childhood educators and influences on curriculum and pedagogical decision-making

This narrative-based research, underpinned by Appadurai’s concepts of culture, aspiration, and imagination, explored 12 immigrant early childhood (EC) educators’ experiences and the factors influencing their pedagogical decisions in Victoria. The photo-elicitation technique was employed to capture detailed descriptions of their past, present, and future pedagogical and cultural experiences. Each participant was interviewed for 60 minutes, supported by their provision of three visual images. The findings demonstrate that the participants’ journey was complex but led to a transformative learning process. Adjusting to the new educational systems created shifts in participants’ pedagogy, altering their definitions of education and impacting their identity and practices.