Preparing Native American Special Education Teachers: Lessons Learned from the Rural Special Education Project

1997 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Delany-Barmann ◽  
Greg Prater ◽  
Sam Minner
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Native American ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Navajo Nation ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Education Project

Twelve Navajo preservice teachers in the Rural Special Education Project on the Navajo Nation in Kayenta, Arizona, shared their perceptions regarding the factors which enabled them and constrained them as they completed a special education teacher preparation program. Several themes emerged during the process of interviewing the students including the importance of cultural teachings and family support; the influence of language factors, financial constraints, and cultural responsibilities; and the lack of availability of educational opportunities on the Navajo Nation. Each of these factors is discussed in this article and recommendations are made for others interested in establishing successful teacher preparation programs for Native American students.

scholarly journals Preservice Teachers’ Mentorship Experiences during Teaching Practice in a South African Teacher Preparation Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
Thuthukile Jita ◽  
Paul Nwati Munje
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
South African ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Experimental Learning ◽  
Teachers Experiences

Mentor teachers are instrumental in teacher preparation programs during the teaching practice of preservice teachers that involves mentor-mentee relationships. This qualitative paper reports on the mentoring experiences of preservice teachers during eight weeks of teaching practice in 2020 using Gibbs’ experimental learning as a conceptual framework. Forty-five preservice teachers participated in a reflective exercise, sharing their stories through reflective essays guided by open-ended questions. A thematic approach was used in data analysis. Findings indicated that mentors’ experiences and personal characteristics, and abilities to create opportunities for growth influenced the preservice teachers’ experiences during teaching practice. The mentees’ perceptions toward mentor-mentee relationships also influenced their experience. Based on the findings, it is important to upskill mentors to equip them with professional and mentorship ethics to enable preservice teachers to acquire the requisite skills that will better prepare them as future professional teachers. The findings of this study can be useful in the process of developing professional development of mentors prior to teaching practice.

scholarly journals Preservice Teachers’ Comfort Levels with Technology in an Online Standalone Educational Technology Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-86
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Graziano
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Educational Technology ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Personal Communication ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Comfort Levels ◽  
Technology Course

While some researchers and teacher educators recommend the integration of technology throughout a teacher preparation program, it may not be realistic for all teacher preparation programs to comply with this recommendation. A lack of training, a lack of interest from faculty, limited faculty or facilities, and/or a lack of vision from educational leaders may prevent some teacher preparation programs from successfully integrating technology throughout the curriculum. For various reasons, colleges and schools of education may rely on standalone educational technology courses. The purpose of this study was to examine technology comfort levels of preservice teachers who completed an online standalone educational technology course with pedagogy and content integrated into the course curriculum. Findings reveal there were no statistically significant mean differences between students’ comfort levels using technology for personal communication and to teach academic content. The findings have implications for teacher preparation programs and teacher educators.

Assistive Technology Integration in Special Education Teacher Preparation: Program Coordinators' Perceptions of Current Attainment and Importance

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Michaels ◽  
Jennifer McDermott
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Curriculum And Instruction ◽  
Special Education Teacher ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
Program Coordinators

This article reports findings from a national survey of special education teacher preparation programs regarding the integration of assistive technology (AT) into curriculum and instruction. Two questions framed this research. The first focused on how AT knowledge, skills, and dispositions are currently integrated (the Current Attainment Level), and the second focused on how AT should ideally be integrated (the Importance). All paired t tests between Current Attainment Level and Importance were statistically significant (p < .01 for factors and p < .001 for individual items) and substantively meaningful (large effect sizes, mostly > .8). Qualitative analysis focused on understanding (a) potential strategies for promoting the integration of AT knowledge, skills, and dispositions, and (b) the barriers to AT integration. The findings have important implications for future practices in special education teacher preparation.

scholarly journals Preservice Teachers’ Comfort Levels with Technology in an Online Standalone Educational Technology Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Graziano
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Educational Technology ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Personal Communication ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Comfort Levels ◽  
Technology Course

While some researchers and teacher educators recommend the integration of technology throughout a teacher preparation program, it may not be realistic for all teacher preparation programs to comply with this recommendation. A lack of training, a lack of interest from faculty, limited faculty or facilities, and/or a lack of vision from educational leaders may prevent some teacher preparation programs from successfully integrating technology throughout the curriculum. For various reasons, colleges and schools of education may rely on standalone educational technology courses. The purpose of this study was to examine technology comfort levels of preservice teachers who completed an online standalone educational technology course with pedagogy and content integrated into the course curriculum. Findings reveal there were no statistically significant mean differences between students’ comfort levels using technology for personal communication and to teach academic content. The findings have implications for teacher preparation programs and teacher educators.

Developing a Theory of Program Vision as Professional Socialization in Special Education Teacher Preparation

2021 ◽  
pp. 088840642110589
Author(s):  
Hannah Morris Mathews
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
General Education ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Professional Socialization ◽  
Special Education Teacher ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities

In general education, researchers find candidates’ pre-service experiences are a tool for socialization into the knowledge, norms, and values of the profession. An important aspect of this process is program vision—the collective understanding of teaching put forth by a preparation program. Yet, few investigations in special education examine program vision. Using interviews with candidates across six teacher preparation programs, the author generates theory to understand the role of vision in special education teacher candidates’ professional socialization and how experiences of program vision are associated with their conceptions of their future roles and responsibilities. Candidates’ conception of special educators’ roles reflected three characterizations consistent within, but distinct across programs: Direct Instructor, Supportive Differentiator, and General Responder. Each profile was associated with unique roles and responsibilities for special educators. Findings draw attention to the importance of examining vision as a tool for professional socialization in special education teacher preparation.

scholarly journals ENHANCING THE ROLE OF FIELD EXPERIENCE SUPERVISORS: TOWARD MULTICULTURAL EQUITY IN A TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM

2021 ◽  
pp. 24-36
Author(s):  
Lisa VASQUEZ
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Field Experience ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Multicultural Society ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Program Leaders

The current state of education embodies increasing public demands and policy mandates for teacher accountability in all classrooms, pre-kindergarten through Grade 12. Leaders expect increased academic performance to meet grade-level curriculum standards within a multicultural society. Teacher preparation programs are tasked to create and manage field experiences that guide practice within diverse learning communities. Teacher candidates interact with the cultural, social, and historical context of schools, of professional colleagues, and of the pupils they teach. In addition, teacher candidates should be prepared to develop practices that are intentional, personalized, differentiated, and purposeful for the pupils within their classrooms. This paper offers a case study of one university’s re-design of field experience supervision in its teacher preparation programs. The curriculum designers sought to ensure support for teacher candidates based on each student’s individual needs, while fostering systemic change responsive to ideas of race, gender, and other areas of intersectionality in a multicultural society. The field supervisor was the key to connect the practical, field-based experiences with the vision and mission of the university. Thus, program leaders identified the need to invest in the professional development of field supervisors in a way that brought the vision and mission to life—from words to action. The resulting framework included a multi-faceted approach of coaching / mentoring, professional development, and reflective discourse with colleagues.

Traditional Teacher Evaluation Models

2014 ◽  
pp. 342-361
Author(s):  
Katina M. Leland ◽  
Amy L. Sedivy-Benton
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Focal Points ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Evaluation Models ◽  
Method Of Evaluation

Student achievement has become one of the main focal points regarding education across the United States. With this intense focus on students, teachers are thrust unwillingly into the spotlight. Teacher practices and student outcomes have become the new norm for evaluation in PK-12 education. That method of evaluation is crossing over into teacher preparation programs as attempts are being made to connect the quality of a teacher preparation program to the performance of those graduates in the classroom. This chapter focuses on the current trends that exist for both pre-service teachers as well as teachers of record. A brief history is examined as well as issues that currently exist within these structures. The chapter concludes with the implications of these practices and suggestions for future trends and recommendations for evaluating teachers at both the pre-service experience level and when they are employed in the classroom.

TPACK Pathways that Facilitate CCSS Implementation for Secondary Mathematics Teacher Candidates

2013 ◽  
pp. 353-369
Author(s):  
Nathan Borchelt ◽  
Axelle Faughn ◽  
Kathy Jaqua ◽  
Kate Best
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Common Core ◽  
Common Core State Standards ◽  
State Standards ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Core State ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
The Common ◽  
Secondary Mathematics Teacher

Implementation of the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics has provided teacher educators a great opportunity to reexamine whether teacher preparation programs adequately provide the experiences to develop the base of knowledge and 21st century skills necessary to be effective teachers. The Mathematics TPACK Framework provides a roadmap for a series of pathways to integrate three knowledge components that are essential in teacher development: content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and technological knowledge. In this chapter, the authors examine how a teacher preparation program has evolved to integrate meaningful uses of digital technologies in content and pedagogy that are relevant to the teaching and learning of mathematics through the lens of implementing the Common Core State Standards.

Leveraging P-12/University Partnerships to Better Prepare Pre-Service Teachers

2020 ◽  
pp. 163-182
Author(s):  
James Falco ◽  
Meredith Riddle ◽  
Gregory Duffy ◽  
Tracy Mulvaney ◽  
Lauren Niecz
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
University Partnerships ◽  
Primary Responsibility ◽  
To Receive

The primary responsibility for training pre-service teachers previously fell solely on the shoulders of university teacher-preparation programs, with a short field experience component in partner P-12 districts. As research continues to support the value of increased clinical practice in P-12 schools when training pre-service teachers, the responsibility is becoming shared equally between university teacher education programs and P-12 school districts. This chapter describes three innovative programs implemented by P-12 schools through strong partnerships with Monmouth University's teacher education and Provisional Teacher Preparation program. These strong partnerships afford students the opportunity to receive direct instruction in P-12 settings with the support of curriculum, mentors and professional development. The partnership with Lafayette Mills School (the last of three initiatives discussed) was also awarded, along with the university's other PDSs, the National Association of Professional Development Schools Distinguished Partnership award in 2017.

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