The Convergence of Learning, Knowing, and Being: Examining the Experiences and Preparedness of Novice Teachers

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session One
  In Roundtable Session: Building Teacher Capacity of Preservice and Novice Teachers (Table 18)

Abstract

There is an extreme shortage of teachers across the United States, as teacher attrition numbers have decreased significantly throughout the past several years, a trend immensely exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Educator preparation programs (EPPs) have the responsibility to continuously improve program efficiency and effectiveness so that teacher candidates are increasingly prepared to work with all students, especially students with disabilities. This presentation will provide collaborative discourse surrounding data collected from a pilot study with novice teachers from regions throughout the United States. The study was conducted as a pursuit of truth in better understanding the explicit needs of new teachers and how EPPs can further bridge program completion with collaborative school district mentorship across the first years of teaching.

Authors

• Vicki Luther, Mercer University
  Presenting Author

• Maria Peterson-Ahmad, Texas Woman's University
  Non-Presenting Author