A Constructive-Developmental Exploration of Clinical Teacher Preparation Practice

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: Interactive Roles of University Supervisors and Mentors With Preservice Teachers

Abstract

To facilitate high quality teacher preparation, we must serve and sustain two populations: 1) the pre-service teachers we prepare for our profession, and 2) the clinical educators who provide skilled coaching in collaboration with university faculty. To support both groups of adults, we must understand their developmental needs and ways of knowing (Drago-Severson & Blum-DeStefano, 2016; Kegan & Lahey, 2009). This qualitative study explores the interplay between pre-service teachers’ and clinical educators’ evolving professional sense-making through an analysis of video-based prompts, responses, and post-observation conference summaries during the culminating semester of clinical practice in a Masters of Teaching degree program.

Authors

• Adria R. Hoffman, University of Virginia

• Meredith McCool, Sweet Briar College