O papel do educador social na integração comunitária

Abstract

Education is commonly associated with the school environment, limiting its understanding to formal schooling and the role of educators only within educational institutions. This study, conducted at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, explores the concept of the social educator and their role in non-school contexts such as museums, NGOs, and community centers. The research aims to problematize the role of the social educator in community integration and the challenges faced in social education, highlighting the importance of initial and ongoing training for ethical and reflective practice. Using a qualitative approach with a bibliographic and descriptive nature, the study includes a review of publications and reports of formative experiences acquired through internships and volunteering. The theoretical framework is based on the works of Maria da Glória Gohn (2005, 2006, 2008) and contributions from Carvalho and Baptista (2004), Borda Cardoso (n.d.), and Machado (2012), discussing both formal and non-formal education. The research is structured into five sections: Introduction, Personal Experience, Role of the Social Educator, Formative Experiences in Non-School Contexts, and Final Considerations. The study emphasizes the significance of non-formal education and the need for continuous training for social educators, addressing both the challenges and personal and professional implications of this profession.