Enhancing Moral Sensibilities: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Teacher Candidates’ Dispositions Across Three Domains

• In Event: Roundtable Session 52
  In Roundtable Session: Educating Moral Educators

Abstract

Dispositions are increasingly cited as one mechanism for accessing teacher candidates’ moral development (Johnson, 2008; Murrell, Diez, Feiman-Nemser, & Schussler, 2010). Using a cross-sectional analysis of teacher candidates at one institution, this study examines how candidates in different stages of their certification programs demonstrate awareness of their dispositions in three domains – intellectual, cultural, and moral. Results indicate that candidates later in their program, after extensive field experience, were more likely to explore the nuances of various tensions perceived in a case study and to ask more questions about ramifications of different courses of action. Understanding how candidates make teaching decisions provides insight into ways to help candidates become more purposeful about reaching the desired ends they wish to achieve.

Authors

• Deborah L. Schussler, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

• Lynne A. Bercaw, California State University - Chico

• Lisa M. Stooksberry, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards