Exploring Urban University Preservice Teacher Motivations and Barriers to Teaching in Rural Schools

• In Event: 54.075 - Considering Place in Rural Teaching and Learning

Abstract

This paper tests two hypotheses that concur on the relevance of teacher education to solve rural staffing shortage. The first hypothesis states that introducing pre-service teachers to rural placement experiences enhances their desire to seek rural teaching positions. The second affirms that pre-service teachers from regional or rural backgrounds are more likely to seek teaching jobs in rural settings than their urban counterparts. We draw on data from an explorative qualitative study with pre-service teachers in an Australian urban university. Participants in this project were interviewed before, during and after their rural placement. While the second hypothesis stands the test, we found that the first hypothesis, undertaking a rural placement is not a guarantee to redressing the staffing shortage.

Authors

• Hernan Cuervo, University of Melbourne

• Daniela Acquaro, The University of Melbourne