In this dissertation, I examine three perspectives on a collaborative action research project centered on revising the "Foundations of Education" course in George Mason University's Secondary Education (SEED) program for students seeking a Master of Education degree and/or initial teacher licensure. This course revision project was…

Mathematics teacher educators enact inquiry-based preparatory courses with the underlying expectation that their students (prospective teachers) will take ownership (authority) of their mathematical learning through sharing their ideas and collaboratively discussing the reasonableness of their shared ideas. Yet, prospective teachers' expectations…

The effectiveness of teacher-preparation programs to produce high-quality teachers has been an issue of concern for a long time. Teachers play a significant role in shaping students' academic achievement and social-emotional growth. Therefore, it is critical to focus on how teacher education programs, especially the field placement component,…

This mixed-methods descriptive case study examined how a public research university's elementary education teacher preparation program develops social and emotional competence (SEC) in preservice teachers. Using Engestrom's Expansive Learning Theory framework, the study analyzed the tools and mediating artifacts within the program's learning…

The purpose of this descriptive exploratory case study is to explore the collaboration between the University of Central Riyadh (UCR) (pseudonym) teacher preparation program and public schools in preparing teachers. This study was framed using the theory of social constructivism. Qualitative methodology was used to collect data by using…

Communication is one of the key components of family-school collaboration. In addition to the common benefits seen with family-school collaboration (increased attendance, increased academic performance, decrease of problem behaviors), communication allows for information about a student's growth and development to be shared between the home and…

Collaboration is an essential skill for a special education teacher's (SETs) success in developing individualized education programs (IEPs) to ensure that students with disabilities have access to equal educational opportunities. Collaboration occurs when members of an inclusive learning community work together as equals to meet a student's…

Special education teacher preparation programs contribute to teacher quality. Colleges and universities are tasked with preparing student teachers and equipping them with the essential skills necessary for educating students with a wide range of learning and behavioral needs across various settings. High-quality special education teacher…

Urban immersive residency programs have emerged from partnerships between K-12 schools and universities offering teacher candidates a year-long field experience alongside coursework aligned with the framework and practices in the schools (Zeichner & Bier, 2015). The goals of these programs include teacher candidates applying what they learn…

When teachers develop strong and effective partnerships with families, children experience significant benefits (see for example, Anthony, Williams, Zhang, Landry, & Dunkelberger, 2014; Fan & Chen, 2001; Henderson & Mapp, 2002; Jeynes, 2007; Weiss, Lopez, & Rosenberg, 2010). However, collaborating with families remains an area in…

This phenomenological study explored best practices to increase preservice teacher self-efficacy before the student teaching semester. The research was guided by this central inquiry and three sub-questions. Using a pre- and post-phenomenon survey instrument as well as an initial questionnaire and a final reflection, preservice teachers who were…

Post baccalaureate teacher education programs are an effective way to increase the teaching pool with candidates who are content experts (Beijaard et al. 2004; Brantlinger, A., & Smith, B., 2013; Zeichner, K. M., & Schulte, A. K., 2001; Schultz, K., & Ravitch, S. M. 2013; Humphrey et al., 2008). Many of these programs utilize a cohort…

Dispositions are behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes that are demonstrated, both verbally and nonverbally, by humans and are a key component for the preparation of future teachers. While it is clearly the responsibility of teacher preparation programs to develop dispositions within teacher preparation candidates, the lack of clarity in both the…

Career and Technical Education is a significant part of many high school curricula. Technology courses offer hands-on learning and problem-solving skills to prepare students to be both college and career ready. The teachers who obtain a degree in this field are often referred to as Technology and Engineering Educators (TEE). TEE majors in the…

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium require teacher education programs to develop assessments to document and measure teacher candidates' dispositions. Teacher candidates' dispositions and dispositions on future action related to parent and family engagement are…