Teacher Mentoring in Service of Preservice Teachers’ Learning to Teach: Conceptual Bases, Characteristics, and Challenges for Teacher Education Reform

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily Orland-Barak ◽  
Jian Wang
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Education Reform ◽  
Preservice Teacher ◽  
Student Teaching ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Learning To Teach ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Teacher Mentoring ◽  
Teacher Education Reform

Preservice teacher education programs worldwide are increasingly becoming field based with student teaching as the capstone experience for preservice teacher learning in the program. Consequently, mentor teachers at field-placement program schools are bestowed with new and unique functions to support preservice teachers’ learning to teach, which calls for new conceptualizations of teacher mentoring approaches. This article critically examines the theoretical underpinnings of four existing approaches to teacher mentoring during student teaching, analyzes the focuses and practices associated with each approach, and identifies the major challenges that each approach faces in guiding preservice teachers to learn to teach as expected by the field based teacher education reforms. Finally, it proposes an integrated approach to teacher mentoring for field-based teacher education that transcends the four existing teacher mentoring approaches.

The Policy Context for the Evolution of Teacher Education Reform in New Jersey

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (14) ◽  
pp. 1-64
Author(s):  
Gary Natriello
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
New Jersey ◽  
Education Reform ◽  
Quality Of Education ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Teacher Education Reform ◽  
Policy Context ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
General Concern

This article examines the genesis of the New Jersey Provisional Teacher Program, also known as the New Jersey Alternate Route Program, in three stages. First, the motivation to consider alternative ways of recruiting and preparing teachers for New Jersey schools began with general concern about the quality of education in the state and soon moved to consideration of means of strengthening teachers and teacher education. Second, the interest in improving the preparation of teachers led directly to changes in the regulations governing college-based teacher education programs. Third, the principles that were first applied to the reform of college-based programs were then adopted to structure and regulate an alternative route to teaching and the Provisional Teacher Program.

Field Experience

2019 ◽  
pp. 481-508
Author(s):  
Sean Robert Powell
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Student Teaching ◽  
Field Experience ◽  
Clinical Teaching ◽  
Music Teacher ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Early Field Experience ◽  
Departments Of Education ◽  
Potential Benefits

This chapter presents an overview of preservice field experiences in music teacher education. Field experience, also termed fieldwork, early field experience, clinical practice, clinical teaching, extern teaching, or practicum, refers to teaching and/or observation experiences undertaken by preservice teachers within P-12 classrooms or other off-campus settings as part of curricula leading to teacher certification prior to the student teaching semester. Field experience is a common curricular requirement or standard among university teacher education programs, state departments of education, and higher education accrediting agencies. The chapter examines current practices and addresses potential benefits and problems associated with various field experience arrangements. Finally, it explores innovative approaches to field experience, poses questions for consideration, and suggests implications for practice and research.

Issues and Challenges in Preparing Teachers to Teach in the Twenty-First Century

2012 ◽  
pp. 183-194
Author(s):  
Susan Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Student Teaching ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Practice Teaching ◽  
Willingness To Use

Preservice teachers need to acquire both technological skill and understanding about how technology rich environments can develop subject-specific knowledge as a part of their teacher education programs. The purpose of the research project, as described in this case study, was to examine the impact that immersion in technology-infused social studies pedagogy courses had on preservice teachers’ willingness to use computer and online tools as well as how they used them during their student teaching. Teacher education students enrolled in two pedagogy courses were surveyed at the beginning and end of the courses and interviewed over the duration of the courses regarding the nature and extent of their technological knowledge and skill. Following the completion of the pedagogy courses, six volunteered to have their technology use tracked during their nine-week practice teaching experience. Findings showed that while the preservice pedagogy courses did increase the student teachers’ knowledge of and skill with a variety of computer and online tools as well as their desire to use them during their student teaching, the elementary schools in which they were placed for their practicum were poorly equipped and the mentor teachers were not using the tools that were modeled on campus. If preservice teachers are to truly understand the benefits of learning and teaching with technology, teacher education institutions and school districts need to work together to present a consistent vision of technology integration, and schools need to provide environments that encourage and support technology use.

(Re)-Defining ‘Teacher’: Preservice Teachers with Disabilities in Canadian Teacher Education Programs

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (01) ◽  
pp. 17-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Wilson ◽  
Laura Sokal ◽  
Deb Woloshyn
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Student Teaching ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Canadian Provinces ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Current Standards

Directors of Student Teaching from the Western Canadian provinces participated in focus groups about the realities and decision-making processes around practicum for preservice teachers with disabilities. Results showed current standards, when applied rigidly, served to reify a static, homogenous, and unrealistic definition of ‘teacher’ that marginalises preservice teachers with disabilities. However, the effort of directors to challenge this notion of ‘teacher’, framed within the constructionist model of disability, gives hope for a more inclusive future teaching force.

An Alternative to Traditional Student Teaching

1991 ◽  
Vol 84 (7) ◽  
pp. 533-537
Author(s):  
William S. Bush ◽  
Marvin T. Moss ◽  
Michael J. Seiler
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Preservice Teacher ◽  
Student Teaching ◽  
Preservice Teacher Education ◽  
Teaching Mathematics ◽  
Critical Component ◽  
Traditional Student ◽  
Attitudes Toward Teaching

Student teaching is a critical component of preservice teacher education. During this time preservice teachers begin the transition from student to teacher. They find out if they have the desire or skills to teach. Their views and attitudes toward teaching, mathematics, and students are developed and challenged. In this setting, the subsequent success or failure as a teacher is often formed.

Issues and Challenges in Preparing Teachers to Teach in the Twenty-First Century

2013 ◽  
pp. 1388-1396
Author(s):  
Susan Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Student Teaching ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Practice Teaching ◽  
Willingness To Use

Preservice teachers need to acquire both technological skill and understanding about how technology rich environments can develop subject-specific knowledge as a part of their teacher education programs. The purpose of the research project, as described in this case study, was to examine the impact that immersion in technology-infused social studies pedagogy courses had on preservice teachers’ willingness to use computer and online tools as well as how they used them during their student teaching. Teacher education students enrolled in two pedagogy courses were surveyed at the beginning and end of the courses and interviewed over the duration of the courses regarding the nature and extent of their technological knowledge and skill. Following the completion of the pedagogy courses, six volunteered to have their technology use tracked during their nine-week practice teaching experience. Findings showed that while the preservice pedagogy courses did increase the student teachers’ knowledge of and skill with a variety of computer and online tools as well as their desire to use them during their student teaching, the elementary schools in which they were placed for their practicum were poorly equipped and the mentor teachers were not using the tools that were modeled on campus. If preservice teachers are to truly understand the benefits of learning and teaching with technology, teacher education institutions and school districts need to work together to present a consistent vision of technology integration, and schools need to provide environments that encourage and support technology use.

scholarly journals Critical Reflection and Generativity: Toward a Framework of Transformative Teacher Education for Diverse Learners

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina Liu ◽  
Arnetha F. Ball
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Education Reform ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Diverse Learners ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Teacher Education Reform ◽  
Diverse Student Populations ◽  
Diverse Student ◽  
Racial Ethnic

This chapter provides a critical and synthesizing review of the literature on issues related to preparing teachers for diverse learners from historical and theoretical standpoints, reviewing more than 50 years of calls for teacher education reform and efforts to prepare White teachers and teachers of color for racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity in schools and communities. It finds that the limited success of such efforts is the result of policy changes that overemphasize recruitment and underemphasize retention, and calls for restructuring teacher education programs and research that focuses on critical reflection and generativity that can lead to transformative practices in the classroom. The authors argue for a (re)new(ed) emphasis on community-based teacher preparation grounded in critical reflection and generativity, which facilitates and promotes transformative teacher education that prepares teachers to teach diverse student populations.

scholarly journals Preservice Teachers’ Sense of Belonging During Practicum Placements

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 17-33
Author(s):  
Yvonne Dewhurst ◽  
◽  
Michelle Ronksley-Pavia ◽  
Donna Pendergast ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Preservice Teacher ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Preservice Teacher Education ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Hermeneutic Phenomenological

Practicum placements in schools are keystone features of preservice teacher education, yet inconsistencies in their nature and quality are pervasive. This phenomenon was explored in two cultural contexts, with a focus on ‘belonging’, which the literature reveals may impact practicums and commitment to the profession. Interviews were conducted with six primary school preservice teachers in Australia and Scotland, about their lived experience of belonging/non-belonging during practicum. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis revealed four themes in both cultural contexts: 1. Being welcomed; 2. Settings and procedures; 3. Interpersonal interactions; and, 4. Strategic behaviours. This study indicates belonging as crucial to preservice teachers’ cognition, wellbeing and learning during practicums, with ‘non-belonging’ inhibiting their development. Preservice teacher and mentor preparedness for practicums is highlighted, alongside challenges for initial teacher education programs and schools in addressing the fundamental need to foster a sense of belonging for preservice teachers during this crucial aspect of their teacher preparation.

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