Service-Learning in the Clinical Experience of Alternative Certification Teacher Candidates

2018 ◽  
pp. 203-221
Author(s):  
Deborah V. Mink ◽  
Susan Ramp Ridout ◽  
Gloria J. Murray ◽  
Faye Marsha G. Camahalan ◽  
Callie Petty
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
English Language ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Community Needs

The purpose of this chapter is to describe a service-learning program in a public school setting for possible replication by other educators. Service-learning in teacher preparation continues to expand as a pedagogy to help future educators gain knowledge and strategies for working with diverse students. Using this model, teacher candidates address community needs and learn course content because service-learning is linked to the curriculum. Indeed, well-integrated service-learning is a powerful experience when it is designed as a partnership where both parties learn and grow. This chapter addresses how service-learning is integrated into the clinical experiences of an alternative teacher preparation program while meeting the social and academic needs of elementary school (K-5) students in a community with a large population of English language learners (ELLs).

Preparing Pre-Service Teachers' Expectations and Resilience

2017 ◽  
pp. 24-47
Author(s):  
Christine Rosalia
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
English Language ◽  
Graduate Program ◽  
Responsive Teaching ◽  
Subway Train

The purpose of this study is to describe an ongoing service-learning project that brings pre-service teachers in an MA graduate program in Teaching English as a Second Language to tutor English language learners in a low-income urban high school. Excerpts from nine different teachers on sessions with the same learner offer snapshots of the learner's progress as he interacts with them. Impact on teacher expectations and demonstrated resilience working with this student is evaluated in concert with how well the project embodies the standards of service-learning as mutually beneficial practice. An analogy will be drawn between the behaviors of passengers in a stopped subway train and the varied ways teacher candidates and the project as a whole embodies culturally responsive teaching.

scholarly journals Examination of Pre-service Teacher’s Training through Tutoring Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiao-ping Wu ◽  
Myriam Jimena Guerra
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
The Impact

Pre-service teacher preparation in the United States is becoming progressively more challenging with respect to the demands on teachers. This study examined the impact of tutoring approach on pre-service teachers’ skills to work with English language learners through a qualitative research design. Content analysis was used at the thematic level on student journals written to accompany the semester-long experience of tutoring. Thirty pre-service teachers participated and data was collected from 300 written journal reflections for two semesters. Overall, the pre-service teachers gained an understanding of challenges of working ELLs and other positive impacts through tutoring. The findings suggest that pre-service teachers have perceived value of the use of tutoring approach in the teacher preparation program, use of strategies during field-based experiences, instructional realizations, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism. This paper concluded by discussing the need for teacher education program to assist pre-service teachers to assimilate pedagogies and apply through a tutoring approach.

Service-Learning as Authentic Practice for Teacher Candidates to Work With English Language Learners

2019 ◽  
pp. 35-54
Author(s):  
Hyesun Cho ◽  
Peter Johnson ◽  
Sylvia S. Somiari
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
English Language ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Course Changes ◽  
Group Interviews

This chapter investigates how the incorporation of service-learning to a teacher education course changes teacher candidates' perceptions of English language learners (ELLs). It also examines the benefits and challenges of the service-learning project in which preservice teachers worked with ELLs individually or in groups in the elementary classroom. Through course artifacts and focus group interviews of 48 preservice teachers at a large Midwestern U.S. university, the impacts of service-learning as authentic practice with ELLs are discussed. Findings reveal that the experience reduced participant anxiety about working with diverse populations, provided opportunities for self-reflection, and promoted a sense of confidence and competence which led to professional growth for teacher candidates. This chapter concludes with recommendations for teacher educators interested in implementing service-learning in a teacher education program as well as directions for future research.

scholarly journals Critical Service-Learning: Learning Through Experience to Advance Teacher Education

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Tinkler ◽  
Barri Tinkler ◽  
Cynthia Reyes ◽  
Suzanna Elkin
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Methods Course ◽  
Linguistically Diverse Students ◽  
Literacy Methods ◽  
Learning Through Experience

Background: The ability to effectively teach culturally and linguistically diverse students is critically important. Research has shown that providing teacher candidates educative experiences through critical service-learning can better prepare future teachers and can foster a social justice stance. Purpose: This study examines teacher candidates’ perceptions of a critical service-learning experience in a literacy methods course where participants worked in community settings to support English language learners. Methodology/Approach: Using an interpretative framework, the authors collected and analyzed data from 18 participants including reflection portfolios, questionnaires, and interviews. Findings/Conclusions: This study found that the critical service-learning experience (a) cultivated an understanding of the identities, strengths, and motivations of learners; (b) nurtured their practice; and (c) fostered their understanding of the importance of community engagement, which all contribute to a social justice perspective. Implications: This study demonstrates how critical service-learning enriches understanding within our communities, which allows individuals to tackle issues to advance social justice and equity.

scholarly journals Every teacher is a language teacher: Preparing teacher candidates for English language learners through service-learning

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanan Fan
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
English Language ◽  
School Teacher ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pedagogical Tools

Secondary school teachers in the United States are facing urgent challenges in their increasingly heterogeneous classrooms where the presence of English language learners (ELLs) is becoming the norm. This study reports preliminary findings of a qualitative, interpretive case study of secondary school teacher candidates learning to teach English language learners through service-learning in Northern California. In a semester-long tutoring project, candidates focused on individual ELLs in their inquiry into language learning, in which they (re)constructed their sociolinguistic knowledge of English and their tutees’ home languages in context. Moreover, the mutually beneficial relationships among members of the language community encouraged candidates’ critical reflections on language learning. The study offers instructional experiences for teachers and teacher educators to develop sociolinguistic and pedagogical tools while supporting, and being supported by, the ELL communities. Keywords: teacher education, service-learning, sociocultural perspective, English language learners, secondary schools, teacher knowledge

Service-Learning Opportunities for Preservice Music Teachers within Community Music Settings

2019 ◽  
pp. 641-667
Author(s):  
Jared R. Rawlings
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Teacher Development ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Music Teacher ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Community Music ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Learning Opportunity ◽  
Learning Programs

Authentic teaching opportunities are important for all preservice teachers, and service-learning opportunities within community music settings support preservice music teacher development. The purpose of this chapter is to document a service-learning opportunity within a community music school and showcase the benefits and challenges of a partnership between a music teacher preparation program and this school. After defining service learning and describing how it is utilized in music teacher education, the chapter uncovers the following topics: establishing a community music partnership, designing a service-learning opportunity, and evaluating the outcomes of service-learning programs. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the implications of and recommendations for utilizing a multi-tier service-learning program alongside a preservice music teacher curriculum.

scholarly journals Implementing Action Research in a Teacher Preparation Program: Opportunities and Limitations

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-71
Author(s):  
Glenda L. Black
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Preparation Program ◽  
Problem Solving Skills

Action research has the potential to reconstruct schools into professional learning communities that are able to identify educational issues and develop appropriate solutions for 21st century learning. Increasingly, teacher education programs are providing action research experiences to encourage analytical thinking and problem-solving skills (Darling-Hammond, 2009, 2012). The purpose of this study was to critically examine the experiences of the teacher educator and teacher candidates involved in the implementation of an action research component over four years in a revised consecutive initial teacher preparation program. A case study design using action research methodology was used in the research, which provided the tools to explore a complex phenomenon within its context: the implementation of an action research assignment in a core course in a teacher preparation program. The perceptions of the faculty teaching the course and the teacher candidates (n=544) in each of the four years provided insight into challenges, benefits, and lessons learned.  The discussion centers on the implementation of action research in a compulsory course in a teacher education program; identifying opportunities and limitations settled into four main categories: structural incongruence, reflection, growth, and recommendations.

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.

Inspiring Teacher Candidates to Embrace Cultural Diversity

2020 ◽  
pp. 120-139
Author(s):  
Judi Simmons Estes ◽  
Judith Lynne McConnell-Farmer
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Underserved Students

One of the challenges facing teachers in the United States is providing high-quality education for all students met in the classroom, including those who too often are underserved: students of color, low-income students, English-language learners, as well as students in urban and rural settings. Teachers report feeling unprepared and lack confidence in teaching students from culturally different backgrounds from themselves. This chapter suggests that in addition to becoming certified teachers, teacher candidates need to be inspired by teacher educators who are passionate about cultural learning and willing to share their own journey. Through sharing, teacher educators can provide practices that build cultural knowledge and increase cultural experiences of teacher candidates.

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