Changing the Experience of Clinical Practice: Implementing a Coteaching Program for Preservice High School Teachers

• In Event: Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: The Work of University Supervisors in Supporting New Teachers’ Learning

Abstract

Co-teaching is a supportive model for the clinical experience of preservice teachers and offers improvements on the traditional student teaching model (Bacharach et. al. 2010; Darragh et. al. 2011).

This paper presents an analysis of the implementation year of a co-teaching program within a university teacher education program.

Findings include: (1) teacher candidates experienced trusting relationships with mentor teachers, high levels of cognitive engagement in the clinical experience, and a smoother transition to lead teaching; (2) mentor teachers experienced professional renewal and opportunities to reflect on teaching practice; (3) co-teaching helped bridge the divide between theory and practice; and (4) co-teachers felt challenged to find sufficient time to co-plan, co-assess and debrief, and to maintain open and trusting dialogue.

Authors

• Nicole Ramos-Beban, San Jose State University

• Carrie Holmberg, San José State University