"Lonely Is a Word You Hear a Lot": Developing Identities as Literacy Educators Through Field Experiences in a Teacher Preparation Program

• In Event: 16.059 - Poster Session 2
  In Poster Session: 16.059-1 - Division K Section 3 Poster Session 3

Abstract

Field experiences have been and continue to be an integral element of teacher education. There is, however, a wide range of what counts as “field-based learning” – including how these spaces are constructed, the goals of schools and universities, and the objectives and experiences of the students within the programs. Traditionally, the sole focus of these experiences has been on students’ pedagogical experiences and expertise, with less attention paid to how these experiences are shaping young teachers’ professional identities. This paper highlights the unique qualities of fieldwork as a space of learning about teaching, particularly exploring how these experiences shape how new and developing teachers come to understand their own roles and responsibilities as literacy educators.

Author

• Katharine Emily Bartow Jacobs, University of Pittsburgh