Cultivating and Sustaining Change in Collaborative Teacher Preparation Reform: Voices of Deans

• In Event: Roundtable Session 55
  In Roundtable Session: Reenvisioning Teacher Education Reform and Teacher Preparation

Abstract

This study focused on the efforts deans in colleges of education deemed exemplary in their approaches to prepare general and special educators to teach all learners. This study addressed one overarching research question: How do deans describe their experiences promoting faculty collaboration and buy-in for the purpose of implementing and sustaining collaborative teacher preparation reform? Data were collected during the spring of the 2015 academic year through semi-structured interviews with five deans. Qualitative case study design was used to examine the dean’s leadership approaches and draw cross-case conclusions. The authors conclude that while each dean’s experience in teacher preparation reform is unique, many insights may be garnered that would prove beneficial to other deans interested in undertaking similar reform efforts.

Authors

• Amber Elizabeth Benedict, University of Florida

• Mary T. Brownell, University of Florida

• Jane West, American Association of Colleges for Teachers of Education

• Linda P. Blanton, Florida International University