The Journey From Student to Teacher: Narratives From the Field

• In Event: 46.085 - Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: 46.085-16 - Lives of Teachers: Experiential Sensitivities

Abstract

The pathway from student to teacher is a complex endeavor. Nine student teachers combined memoir and narrative through the lens of auto-ethnographic experiences to make sense of this pathway. Several themes run throughout their narratives. First, fear of the unknown centered on preparing for the student teaching experience and on how the experience could result in personal and professional change. Next, differences between expectations and the reality of student teaching experiences caused the candidates to question their beliefs about teaching and their ability to connect theory and practice. Finally, the candidates highlighted tensions in the pedagogical and philosophical differences with mentor teachers, pointing to the importance of empowering novice teachers with strong professional voices and the ability to articulate beliefs.

Authors

• Hillary B. Eisworth, Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge

• Kenneth James Fasching-Varner, Louisiana State University

• Benterah C. Morton, Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge