Teacher's Experiences of Working with Pupils Affected by a Natural Disaster: a Phenomenologial Study

This study aimed to investigate teachers' experiences working with pupils affected by the earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, on February 6, 2023, using a phenomenological approach. Many facets of the phenomena were explored, and the themes derived from the participants' experiences were interpreted using the phenomenological research approach. Seven teachers participated in one-on-one interviews to gather data, which were subsequently analyzed. The seven primary themes that emerged from the research were: Opening Pandora's Box, Bending without Breaking, We are Together, Conflict between Being a Teacher and a Superhero, Teachers Navigated Their Classes Through the Stormy Sea, and What about My Feelings? Participants described their experiences dealing with earthquake-affected children in the post-earthquake period. These findings greatly aid in the design of post-traumatic education strategies for educators working with traumatized children.