Teacher Educators' Learning in Community

• In Event: Professional Learning Communities' Impact on Teacher and Student Learning

Abstract

Professional development of teacher educators is increasingly important in advancing educational practice. Benefits of professional development in community among teachers are well documented, suggesting this approach should be explored for teacher educators. This study sheds light on the workings of six professional learning communities for teacher educators. Multiple data sources were used to extrapolate factors promoting and hindering professional growth. Major features supporting learning include: safe environment, talk about student learning, group reflection and feedback, engaging in research, and continuity. One hindering factor was individual disengagement from the project’s goals, a phenomenon which we termed withdrawal. Breaking of isolation was found to both promote and hinder development, depending on the community's social context.

Authors

• Linor Lea Hadar, University of Haifa

• David L Brody, Efrata College of Education