Poster #2 - What Happened to Teacher Education Majors Who Began Their Coursework at a Community College?

• In Event: 25.087 - MTCC Poster Session Four
  In Poster Session: 25.087-1 - Addressing Issues of Diversity in Teacher Education

Abstract

This study investigated the career development of students graduating from a community college with an Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree and what happened to tt as they continued on their path to become certified teachers employed in schools. Using narrative inquiry, 14 participants were interviewed, seven who went on to become certified teachers employed in schools and seven who did not complete that journey. Analysis of data revealed that personal obstacles more significantly differentiated those prospective teachers who completed the journey from those who did not compared to college conditions. Perhaps putting in additional resources into mitigating the negative impact of personal obstacles would help institutions of higher education achieve better retention and graduation rates.

Authors

• Linda Gronberg-Quinn, Notre Dame of Maryland University

• Mark J. Fenster, Notre Dame of Maryland University

• Sharon Slear, Notre Dame of Maryland University