SLU Teacher Development Program Southeastern Louisiana University Department of Teacher Education Teacher Development Program With increased societal demands for teacher accountability in the intellectual and social development of school age children, the need to prepare teachers who are academically fit, pedagogically skilled, socially competent and psychologically healthy has never been more critical.
Teaching is a highly demanding and extraordinarily complex profession.
A person desiring to become a teacher must maintain academic standards and demonstrate requisite qualifications for successful teaching, including interpersonal skills, basic communication skills, appropriate professional conduct, and a satisfactory performance in field experiences. University faculty members, advisors, supervisors, and administrators of pre-service teachers should be encouraged to establish and maintain high standards of ethical concern for the teachers they are preparing and for the public those teachers may ultimately serve. Throughout teacher training programs, university faculty and school personnel raise red flags regarding academic, social, psychological, and pedagogical concerns related to effective teachers and instruction. Teacher preparation personnel urgently need empirical information about effective early remedial activities and psychological support services. Furthermore, specific guidance is needed to assist in identifying and removing individuals who exhibit deficiencies that could impair their ability to become effective teachers.