FROM WHERE AND FROM WHOM? AN EXPLORATION OF THE EXPERIENCES SUPERVISORS DRAW UPON IN THEIR PRACTICE
Open Access
Author:
Alexander, Monique Cathleen
Graduate Program:
Curriculum and Instruction
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type:
Dissertation
Date of Defense:
July 27, 2016
Committee Members:
Jim Nolan, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor Anne Whitney, Committee Chair/Co-Chair Jim Nolan, Committee Member Fran Arbaugh, Committee Member David Gamson, Outside Member
Keywords:
Supervisors Professional Development Schools Teacher Educator Knowledge
Abstract:
As the teacher education preparation climate shifts to emphasize extended clinical field experiences as the heart of preservice teacher preparation, the research community has attempted to understand more about the pedagogies and personnel that will support learning in these areas. Supervisors of clinical field experiences are a staple in the clinical field experience, yet the research community has a limited viewpoint of the practices and decision-making that lay underneath their work. Using a multiple case study methodology and a select but diverse group of participants, most from a PDS context, this study investigated the resources that supervisors draw on to resolve challenges in their practice. The results of this study highlighted the significance of coursework in the field of teacher education preparation. Specifically, the results noted that exposure to and practical application of philosophies and pedagogies learned during coursework were utilized to resolve challenges in supervisors’ work with preservice teachers. Additionally, supervisors in this study highly benefited from a community of supporters where struggling supervisors drew knowledge and information for immediate use.
