Submitted by Hollis Lowery-Moore (not verified) on August 16, 2007 - 08:26.
It is very disconcerting to read the comments that indicate no need for educator preparation. Working with students of all ages requires knowledge and understanding of child, adolescent and adult development, learning theory, and proven strategies for engaging students. Most educator preparation courses provide the content and then provide opportunities to apply new knowledge in the field under the supervision of a mentor teacher. All of this occurs in approximately one year's time. When a university student completes an educator preparation program, they are a novice teacher. Support and in-service training must continue. Alternative certification programs usually require participants to gain the knowledge and apply it daily as the teacher-of-record in the classroom without a full-time mentor. This can be quite overwhelming for many of the participants. Most good teachers are lifetime learners who continue to expand their pedagogical knowledge and practices daily; however, as in any profession, they must have a knowledge base on which to build new understandings.
Educator Preparation
Submitted by Hollis Lowery-Moore (not verified) on August 16, 2007 - 08:26.
It is very disconcerting to read the comments that indicate no need for educator preparation. Working with students of all ages requires knowledge and understanding of child, adolescent and adult development, learning theory, and proven strategies for engaging students. Most educator preparation courses provide the content and then provide opportunities to apply new knowledge in the field under the supervision of a mentor teacher. All of this occurs in approximately one year's time. When a university student completes an educator preparation program, they are a novice teacher. Support and in-service training must continue. Alternative certification programs usually require participants to gain the knowledge and apply it daily as the teacher-of-record in the classroom without a full-time mentor. This can be quite overwhelming for many of the participants. Most good teachers are lifetime learners who continue to expand their pedagogical knowledge and practices daily; however, as in any profession, they must have a knowledge base on which to build new understandings.