Teachers are encouraged to use ideas and readings from other courses in their research projects and to draw on their research findings when considering the issues of reflective practice and language and culture that form the focus of other second year courses. This course is also based on the idea that teacher research is one means by which teachers gain agency and voice in the education community. In the tradition of action research, we seek studies that describe reality as participants see it, reflect on it, and derive theories and learning applicable to concrete situations. As part of our commitment to encouraging teachers to share their knowledge and their explorations, the course asks students share their work with each other and make their papers available to as part of a collection of class papers. Students are also encouraged to find other opportunities to share what they learn.
Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.
Teachers are members of learning communities, and Teachers are committed to students and their learning. Our courses provide an integrated experience that does not attempt to divide content and pedagogy into discrete separate courses. Our pedagogy acknowledges that teachers are themselves professionals who teach. While we structure a learning experience for our classes, the plan invariably dynamic and responds to feedback from the teachers themselves. Much of the work of the courses is accomplished in small group work, typically in school teams.