This volume unmasks tensions among economic, political, and educational goals in the context of becoming and being a teacher. Chapters frame becoming and being a teacher within commitments to democracy and political literacy while confronting neoliberal assumptions about American society, universal public education, and education reform. A wide variety of teachers and scholars discuss teacher preparation and teaching through evidence-based examinations of complex problems and solutions facing teachers, education policymakers, the public, and students. Teaching is embraced as a political act, and critical subjectivity is endorsed as a rejection of objectivity and traditional paradigms of teaching designed to create a compliant teacher workforce. The book honors and celebrates voice and collective voice, both of which speak to and from the inexorable fact of becoming and being a teacher as one and the same.
An illuminating guide to a career as a teacher written by acclaimed journalist Melinda D. Anderson and based on the real-life experiences of a master teacher—essential reading for anyone considering a path to this profession that changes lives. Go behind the scenes and be mentored by the best in the business to find out what it’s really like, and what it really takes, to become a teacher. Educators are the bedrock of a healthy society, and the exceptional ones have a lasting impact. The best teachers surpass mere instruction to cultivate and empower students beyond school. In LaQuisha Hall’s classroom, students are “scholars,” young ladies are “queens,” and young men are “kings.” The Baltimore high school English teacher’s pioneering approach to literacy has earned her teacher of the year accolades, and has established her as a visionary mentor to the young black men and women of Baltimore. Acclaimed education writer Melinda D. Anderson shadows Mrs. Hall to reveal how this rewarding profession changes lives. Learn about Hall’s path to prominence, from the challenging realities of her rookie year to her place of excellence in the classroom. Learn from Hall’s inspiring approach and confront the critical issues of race, identity, and equity in education. Here is how the job is performed at the highest level.
Sharing the stories of educators working in a diverse range of international contexts, Being a Teacher uses personal narratives to explore effective teaching and learning in global settings. Demonstrating how personal values influence pedagogical practice, and asking how practice can be improved, authors reflect on their experiences not just as teachers, but also as learners, to offer essential guidance for all prospective educational professionals. The book focuses on teacher narratives as a vehicle for consideration of teacher professionalism, and as a way of understanding issues which are important to teachers in different contexts. By sharing and analysing these narratives, the book discusses the increasing complexity of teaching as a profession, and considers the commonality within the narratives. Each chapter includes graphic representations of analysis and encourages its reader to reflect critically on central questions, thereby constructing their own narrative. Being a Teacher provides an in-depth and engaging insight into the education system at a global level, making it an essential read for anyone embarking on a teaching career within the international education market.
Education activist William Ayers invites new and prospective teachers to consider the deepest dimensions of a life in teaching. Should I become a teacher? How can I get to know my students? What commitments come with me into the classroom? How do I develop my unique teaching signature? In his new book, about Becoming A Teacher, Ayers muses on 10 such questions (and a little more) to shape and structure an indispensable guide that features hands-on advice and concrete examples of classroom practice, including curriculum-making, building relationships with students and parents, fostering an effective learning environment, and teaching toward freedom. This brilliant and concise text offers a conception of teaching as both practical art and essentially ethical practice. “In your hands is the gift to help and empower students, which is the greatest gift you could ever give as a teacher.” —Kevin Powell, author, The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood “Chock-full of entertaining anecdotes, great teaching and learning moments, and hard questions that help inform the highly consequential decision to become a teacher.” —Angela Valenzuela, University of Texas at Austin “I’m excited to add a new guide to my ‘must-read’ list for teachers-to-be. This is a delight of a little book.” —Eve L. Ewing, University of Chicago “Wow, do I wish I could have read this book, not only when I was just starting to teach, but every year since.” —Kevin Kumashiro, consultant
Teaching physical education is a challenging but rewarding occupation. Finding a way into the profession can be a daunting task while regular changes in government policy can make it hard to stay up to date. This engaging new book explains the process of becoming and being a teacher of secondary school physical education, from the various routes of entry into the profession, to the realities of being a qualified PE teacher, to the ways in which experienced teachers can become teacher educators and nurture the next generation. It combines rich personal accounts of teaching in, and being taught, physical education, with practical advice for trainees, newly qualified teachers and established professionals, with an emphasis throughout on the importance of critical self-reflection. The book begins by exploring the nature and purpose of physical education and examining the historical development of initial teacher training. It examines recent changes in training, policy and curriculum, and offers an overview of the various ways of becoming a PE teacher, including the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and school and employment based routes. The book offers advice on what to expect at interview, meeting the standards for qualifying to teach, and on how to survive the difficult first year as a newly-qualified teacher. It also outlines the challenges and rewards of being a qualified teacher, mentor or curriculum leader, as well as a teacher educator within higher education. Concise, helpful, and filled with sensible insights based on real experiences of teaching physical education, Becoming a Physical Education Teacher is an essential read for anybody considering entering the profession, or for students, trainees, newly qualified or experienced teachers wanting to understand better the process of becoming, and being, a successful PE teacher.
Becoming a Teacher Educator is an impressive book for teacher educators who want to be informed about the latest views and practices of their profession. It is the first book that addresses a range of topics related to the work of teacher educators, the induction of teacher educators and their further professional development. Becoming a Teacher Educator has a practical focus and it provides theoretical insights, experiences of experts and practical recommendations. The book is rooted in the Association of Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE) and many of the chapters are written by authors who are active members of the ATEE. Researchers and practitioners from different parts of Europe, and beyond, joined their efforts to write a book that is truly international and combines research, practice and reflection. Becoming a Teacher Educator is essential reading for novice teacher educators as well as for experienced teacher educators who want to keep up with the latest insights in their profession. This book provides a guide for those who supervise novice and experienced teacher educators and for various professionals who are responsible for the professional development of teacher educators. "There is a growing need for evidence-based resources made available to (future) teacher educators. Since a learning society requires new sets of competencies of the main actors, we are most in want of knowledgeable teacher educators that support the professional development of their (student) teachers. This book fits the actual demands." (Dr. Joost Lowyck, Professor Emeritus, former director of the Teacher Education Institute, Leuven University). "This is an original book in a very important area. The editors define the concept of ‘teacher educator’ widely and I think, therefore, that the book is relevant for schools, higher education, and education authorities of all kinds. The authorship and theme have wide relevance across Europe, Australasia and North America." (Prof. Bob Moon, Professor in Education Teaching Studies, Department of Education, Open University, UK). "The book highlights that, while the current global focus is very much on the need to educate "sufficient and highly qualified teachers", little political focus is given to those who "teach the teachers". What makes this book distinctive for all engaged in teacher education, whether experienced or novice, is that it allows the spotlight on those who teach the teachers and the opportunity for teacher educators to discuss, debate and seriously examine themselves as a profession." (Simone White, Deakin University, Australia)
What makes a good teacher? For all the effort that has gone into analysing and breaking down its processes, teaching is not an exact science. According to Scott Holley, being a good teacher boils down to successfully translating theory into real-world situations. This book is a mix of philosophy, memoir, and practical advice from Holley and other teachers with years of classroom experience, offers examples of this translation through stories of great lessons, failures to connect, and days of laughter.
Curriculum and Instruction for Becoming a Teacher focuses on two critical elements of teaching-what is taught and how it is taught. Based on the successful introductory text Becoming a Teacher, this breakout text explains what it takes to create an effective, learning-oriented classroom. With coverage of such topics as creating a multicultural curriculum, assessing student learning, and utilizing technology in the classroom, Curriculum and Instruction for Becoming a Teacher offers advice that prepares pre-service teachers for their first year in the classroom.
Becoming a Teacher, 4e remains a unique and powerful combination of ideas, analysis, questions, answers and wisdom, drawing on the professional experience of the editors and contributors.
No matter how much you want to teach and no matter how well prepared you are, beginning teaching is tough. A teacher’s work is never done; even when you work hard, there is always something more you could do. Become the Primary Teacher Everyone Wants to Have tells you what teaching is really like. As you set out on your teaching career, this book offers thoughtful and sensible support from an experienced and sympathetic teacher. Whether you read the book through from cover to cover or dip into sections you need at particular times, each page has suggestions and ideas to help you lay a solid foundation for a fruitful and fulfilling career in teaching. Chapters cover: Getting Ready for Teaching; Teaching to Reach All Children; Assessing Learning and Teaching; Communicating with Parents and Guardians about Teaching; Relating with Colleagues when Teaching; Integrating Life, Teaching and Learning. This book will be an invaluable guide for newly qualified and experienced teachers alike who are wanting to develop their practice and thrive in teaching.
