Both higher education and P-12 faculty play a critical role in the preparation of new teachers, yet they have traditionally operated in silos. This book, designed to be read and applied immediately, will help teacher preparation programs and schools work together to best prepare preservice teachers. This is accomplished by clearly describing the roles and responsibilities of both groups of stakeholders, specifically with a focus on the preparation of the mentor teacher. The author outlines ways for schools and teacher preparation programs to collaboratively choose, train, and support mentor teachers, along with suggestions for connecting P-12 and higher education faculty more regularly. Driskill provides a replicable blueprint that has been put into practice and found to be effective. School districts and teacher preparation programs can use the blueprint to reform clinical practice, which ultimately puts more highly qualified teachers in more classrooms. Book Features: Offers a proven-effective method for preparing and supporting mentor teachers in clinical practice. Focuses on what exactly clinical practice entails, including the roles and responsibilities of teacher prep programs and P-12 schools. Explores how mentor teachers are currently identified versus how they should be identified. Outlines topics and strategies for initial training and ongoing support for mentor teachers. ? Contains specific steps both school districts and teacher preparation programs can take to form successful partnerships.
Kristen M. Driskill is an associate professor of inclusive education at the School of Education, St. John Fisher University. She was co-dean of the School of Education and Social Work and an associate professor of teacher education at Roberts Wesleyan University.
Contents Foreword Mark LaCelle-Peterson ?xi Introduction ?1 But I Already Do This ?4 How to Use This Book ?5 1. ?The Clinical Practice Partnership ?9 Chapter Outcomes ?9 Defining Clinical Practice ?9 The Value of Clinical Practice ?13 Shared Lexicon ?14 Accreditation Standards and Clinical Practice ?16 Summary ?17 The Blueprint ?18 2. ?Responsibilities of Teacher Preparation Programs ?19 Chapter Outcomes ?19 Assumptions ?20 Teaching Theory and Pedagogy ?21 Scaffolding Clinical Experiences ?23 Aligning Curriculum with Certification Requirements ?26 Professional Dispositions ?27 Summary ?29 The Blueprint ?29 3. ?Responsibilities of P-12 Faculty ?31 Chapter Outcomes ?31 Assumptions ?31 Putting Theory into Practice ?33 Scaffolding Clinical Experiences ?35 Professional Dispositions ?38 P-12 Administrators ?40 Summary ?40 The Blueprint ?41 4. ?Identifying Clinical Educators ?43 Chapter Outcomes ?44 Current Processes for Identifying Mentor Teachers ?44 Best Practices in Identifying Mentor Teachers ?46 Incentivizing Mentoring ?50 Summary ?52 The Blueprint ?52 5. ?Training Clinical Educators ?55 Chapter Outcomes ?55 Elements of Mentor Teacher Training ?56 Impact on Mentor Teachers ?60 P-12 Administrators ?63 Brainstorming Local Needs ?64 Summary ?65 The Blueprint ?65 6. ?Ongoing Support for Clinical Educators ?69 Chapter Outcomes ?70 Best Practices for Professional Development ?70 System for Ongoing Mentor Teacher Support ?71 Summary ?78 The Blueprint ?78 7. ?Assessing Effectiveness and Continuous Improvement ?81 Chapter Outcomes ?82 Assessing Clinical Practice Effectiveness ?82 Data Collection in the Partnership ?86 Continuous Improvement ?89 Summary ?90 The Blueprint ?91 8. ?Lessons from the Field ?93 Lesson 1: Do Not Make Assumptions ?93 Lesson 2: Honor Teachers' Time ?94 Lesson 3: Pay Close Attention to Responsibilities ?94 Lesson 4: Plan on "Real" Ways to Measure Effectiveness ?95 Lesson 5: Stay Grounded in the Idea of a Shared Responsibility ?95 Appendix A. The Blueprint ?97 Appendix B. Key Responsibilities ?105 Appendix C. Sample Matrix of Scaffolded Clinical Experiences ?107 Appendix D. Sample Mentor Teacher Selection Forms ?109 Appendix E. Sample Survey for Mentor Teacher Preparedness ?113 Appendix F. Sample Notecatcher for Data Analysis and Discussion ?115 References ?117 Index ?119 About the Author ?123
