In this chapter Wagner describes his experiences with teacher education. In his experience he did not receive adequate feedback from his master teacher and then after he got hire his principal. He said that one of the main reasons that he feels that he did not get the feedback that he wanted was that there is not a consensus in the education community about what a 'good' lesson looks like. He also commented that he felt isolated and and not challenged at one of the schools he worked at. One of the main ways that Wagner thinks that teacher preparation could be improved by is requiring teachers to create portfolios that must be updated and submitted periodically. I think this would be a much better ways to display a teacher's competency than completing standardized tests and TPAs. I agree with Wagner that a portfolio is a great way for teacher candidates and new teachers to "demonstrate their ability to plan, teach, and analyze the effectiveness of their lessons" (p. 149). In regards to Wagner feeling isolated at one of the schools that he worked at, I have had the opposite experience at my clinical practice site. I am part of a very supportive and collaborative PLC where everyone is willing to help each other and work together. In this program we are encourage to observe other teachers as much as possible. I think this is an important way to get ideas of things to do and not do in our classrooms. As a new teacher, it would be ideal if the school I worked at gave me time to observe other teachers, even at other schools. If I were to create my own program I would keep the model we have in this program where we teach the entire year instead of just the second semester. I have definitely learned the most by being in the classroom and experimenting. Also if I were to create a my own program I would have multiple classes offered each semester and candidates could pick which class interests them the most (more like how college usually is). That way they can take the classes that they feel will benefit them the most and are the most real world applicable.
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AuthorMy name is Brooke and I am a teacher candidate in the CSUSM credential program. I am currently long-term subbing Integrated Math 1 and Math 180 classes at Vista High. Archives
May 2015
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