Dismantling the Ivory Tower: The Positioning of “The University” on a Student Teaching Triad

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: Division K - Section 07: Teacher Educator Initial and Ongoing Development Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Drawn from a semester-long qualitative study, this paper examines the positioning of “the university” within a student teaching triad. Although twenty years have passed since Bullough and Draper (2004) documented power imbalances within triads, these imbalances persist. This study shows how the university, an abstract idea, becomes a fourth member of the triad with an ever-present institutional power hindering collaboration. The findings suggest that teacher educators—those who lead a teacher education program—should consider taking a more active role during the student teaching semester to clarify the university’s position. Dismantling the ivory tower begins when the teacher educator becomes an integrated member of the triad.

Author

• Diana Murtaugh, Binghamton University - SUNY