Your Introduction to Education: Explorations in Teaching, 2e
Sara Davis Powell
©2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.All rights reserved.
Chapter 1:Teachers and the TeachingProfession
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Focus Questions
Who teaches in the United States and why?
How do we prepare to teach
Is teaching a profession?
What are the characteristics of effectiveteachers?
Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e
Powell
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
1-3
Deciding to Teach
Desire to work with young people
Value of education to society
Interest in subject matter
Influence of a teacher
Long summer vacation
Influence of family
Job security
Opportunity for a lifetime of self-growth
Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e
Powell
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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How Do We Prepare to Teach?
Bachelor’s degree: 4-year undergraduate teacher preparationprogram including student teaching/clinical internship
Fifth-year program candidates complete a major other thaneducation and stay for a fifth year for education courses andstudent teaching.
Master of Arts in Teaching: a graduate program for candidateswith college degrees in a non-education major that includesinitial teacher preparation with student teaching
Alternative paths to teacher preparation vary by state and oftengrow out of specific needs. Teach for America recruitsindividuals to teach in rural or urban schools.
Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e
Powell
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
1-5
What Is Teacher Professionalism?
1.Provides an essential service that no other group can provide.
2.Requires unique knowledge and skills acquired through extensiveinitial and ongoing study/training.
3.Involves intellectual work in the performance o duties.
4.Individual practitioners are committed to service and continualcompetence.
5.Identified performance standards guide practice.
6.Self-governance in admitting, policing, and excluding members.
7.Allows for a considerable amount of autonomy and decision-making authority.
8.Members accept individual responsibility for actions and decisions.
9.Enjoys prestige, public trust.
10.Granted higher-than-average financial rewards.
Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e
Powell
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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Professional Associations
•Provide leadership and support for teachers
•Some serve the general teaching population, while others arespecific to a grade level or subject area
•Most solicit members, hold annual conferences, publish materials,provide information, and advocate for the teaching and learningprocess
•NEA and AFT are unions that represent their members in collectivebargaining
•Each subject area has a professional organization that providesguidelines and information
Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e
Powell
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
1-7
Teacher Professionalism
•Teachers commit to making students their firstpriority.
•Teachers commit to quality in theirrelationships and interactions with students,colleagues, administrators, and families.
•Teachers commit to continual growth.
Phelps, 2003
Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e
Powell
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
1-8
What Are the Characteristics ofEffective Teachers?
Effective teachers…
meet standards set forth by acceptedorganizations.
make a difference in the lives of their students.
realize that effective teachers have many differentattributes and use a variety of strategies that leadto student learning.
understand that increased effectiveness oftencomes with experience.
Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e
Powell
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
1-9
What Students Say About TeacherEffectiveness
Effective teachers…
•push students to learn.
•maintain order.
•are willing to help.
•explain until everyone understands.
•vary classroom activities.
•try to understand students.
Corbett and Wilson, 2002
Your Introduction to Teaching, 2e
Powell
© 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
1-10
Concluding Thoughts
Teaching is a life-affirming cycle.
Teaching is a journey that gainsmomentum with time.
Teaching will compel you to grow as aperson and as an educator.