My Top Five Teacher Prep Tweets

Dear Jose and John,

Five tweets really caught my attention during our monthly #teaching2030 Twitter chat last Thursday evening. The chat has quickly grown into a dynamic conversation about issues that matter to teachers. Our topic this month was teacher preparation.  Even though they were limited to 140 characters, teachers still shared some amazing insights.  Check out five of my favorite Tweets from our #teaching2030 chat about teacher prep and the context for each tweet:

{Laurence reflects on the best aspects of teacher prep programs and experiences}
@informedteacher: What works is the experience of the true grind of the classroom. #teaching2030

{Amy responds to what is needed from teacher prep programs}
@amykfmurphy: #teaching2030 I think many programs talk about best practices from research but don’t model them nearly enough. Student teachers need to see them model!

{John responds to the question:  How might it have benefited you to have some coursework taught by professors on site in your classroom w/ students?}
@MrBernia: That is a HUGE idea! Wow! Would it look like a “teaching school” much like a “teaching hospital?” #teaching2030

{Mark shares thoughts about the types of experiences needed during teacher preparation}
@jmarkcoleman:  More time working directly with students. Student interaction is a craft and finding your voice doesn’t happen overnight. #teaching2030

{Ryan thinks about what the future holds for teacher prep}
@ryankinser: Virtual coaching has teacher prep promise. Versatile, real-time help from pros. #teaching2030

Wow!  My mind has raced for days thinking about some of the suggestions—more modeling, “teaching schools,” more student interaction, virtual coaching.  I can’t help wonder how panels of practicing teachers might improve teacher prep programs around our nation.  These teachers are speaking.  Are those who prepare teachers for America’s classrooms listening?  I certainly hope so!

Join us for the next #teaching2030 chat on Thursday, February 16^th at 8:30 – 9:30 ET.  The topic will be 21^st-century learning.  Hope to see you there!

Jennifer

About the author

Jennifer

After teaching over a dozen different Language Arts and Social Science courses in two Alabama school systems, Jennifer Barnett serves the role of school-based Technology Integration Specialist in rural Talladega County at Childersburg High School. A veteran teacher of over twenty years, she was selected as Alabama’s District III Teacher of the Year in 2001 and received the Marbury Technology Innovation Award in 2008, Alabama’s most prestigious award recognizing technology innovation by a classroom teacher. Leading a project-based learning initiative on Global Warming, Jennifer’s team was selected to attend Microsoft’s Innovative Teachers Forum in 2007. She designed and continues to lead a 21st Century Learning initiative for her school system, implementing a protocol for integrating 21st Century skills with content standards. Her work with the highly effective Alabama Best Practices Center and presence on the web has afforded Jennifer the opportunity to work with teachers on technology integration throughout the world. Jennifer is a member of the Teacher Leaders Network.