Preservice teachers (PSTs) must be able to link content, effective teaching practices, and student learning; thus, it is critical for teacher educators to emphasize connections between research and practice in methods courses. Reflection plays an important role in this process. In this article, the authors discuss and illustrate a vignette…

Developing preservice and inservice teachers' sociopolitical consciousness remains an important part of supporting the success of P-12 student experiences. The authors recognize that one way to enhance the sociopolitical consciousness aspect of culturally responsive pedagogy/teaching is through experiential opportunities that support teacher…

Recognizing the possible influences of media narratives upon self-concepts, teacher educators have used films and television programs about teachers to promote preservice teachers' reflections on their professional identities and instructional practices. Theoretical models of reflection, in conjunction with media analysis, have the potential to…

Within communities, groups that control the creation and use of language hold the power to dominate those marginalized by powerless speech and an inability to coconstruct the language of evaluation. In this article, I explore taken-for-granted teacher education practices, and I challenge the deficit model of instruction, which views future…

This article draws on a recently completed study in which preservice teachers identify aspects of their initial teacher education that act as hindrances or aids to developing reflectivity. It articulates the concept that reflection must be seen not as something to be done or acquired but rather as a disposition or way of being. Also identified are…

Federal legislation (Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act, No Child Left Behind) mandates access to the general education curriculum for students with disabilities. As a response, K-12 schools are moving to coteaching models with increased frequency (National Center for Education Statistics, 2008). However, preservice teachers…

Describes a supervision method that brings together teacher candidates and supervisors to cultivate candidates' disposition toward and ability to construct knowledge. Two case studies illustrate the method, which considers teaching a reflective, inquiry-based, knowledge-producing activity and considers supervision a process where candidate and…

Reports a study that examined the use of story in an adolescent development course, reviewing the methodology employed, the problematics of storytelling in teaching, and the three patterns of storytelling that emerged. The discussion highlights the role of storytelling as a way of expanding experience and the analysis of experience for beginning…

Describes preservice teacher training in South Africa, highlighting distance teaching (including a guided self-study workbook) that leads to a one-year postgraduate higher education diploma designed to meet the teacher shortage. The paper discusses the extent to which students can be guided to bridge the gap between theory and practice in field…

Diverse teacher educators met regularly to discuss their beliefs about educational philosophy, teacher education, constructivist pedagogy, and authentic assessment. Participants made reflections, then listened to constructive criticism by other group members. Processes they used to explore their thinking about teaching practice and student…

Describes how the teacher education paradigm of the facilitating reflective educator was adopted to encourage development of reflective practitioners. Professional portfolios were incorporated into the preservice program as an admission requirement for student internships. The rationale behind portfolio usage, implementation and continuance of the…

Describes a teacher education program that provides multiple opportunities for preservice teachers to construct and reflect on learning to teach. The program emphasizes helping teachers to see themselves as learners, as teachers of content, and as researchers. Examples of course work and assignments that reflect a constructivist perspective are…

A teacher educator developed contexts in which White, middle class prospective teachers told each other teaching stories during weekly seminars. The goal was to consider alternative ways of thinking about and behaving toward diverse students. The experience enhanced participants' understanding of themselves and the strengths and limitations of…

Describes changes in the perspectives and practices of two teacher educators as a result of a series of action research projects conducted over a six-year period in an elementary education course. The studies focused on reflection, student learning, reading and writing instruction, and course impact. (SM)

Describes how seven teacher educators and an outside consultant used action research as a framework to develop and implement a collaborative interdisciplinary methods course for preservice elementary educators. The article documents their struggles to develop curriculum and implement different teaching methods. (SM)