Date Approved
5-9-2012
Embargo Period
3-3-2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Department
Educational Leadership
College
College of Education
Advisor
Meredith, Corine
Subject(s)
Professional learning communities; Teachers--Training of
Disciplines
Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration
Abstract
Pre-service teaching experiences can influence future teaching practices. The participation of pre-service teachers (PSTs) in a Professional Learning Community (PLC) increases the likelihood of a mental model shift away from the traditional norms of autonomy that characterize teaching. The purpose of this multiple case study analysis was to explore the perceived influence of PLC exposure on PSTs enrolled in a Professional Development School (PDS) teacher preparation program; specifically in the areas of knowledge, interactions, shared practice, and strategies. The design of the study was qualitative; each PST enrolled in the PDS teacher preparation program was viewed as an individual case. The data were gathered via semi-structured interviews, observations of PDS pre-service teacher PLC meetings, and collection of PST journals. The PSTs acknowledge the positive influence of PLC participation on their knowledge base, interactions with one another, as well as with others in the school community, on their perceptions of shared practice, and on their instructional, organizational, and assessment strategies. PST PLC participation resulted in increased self-confidence, the realization that peers can be resources, and the understanding that teaching does not have to be an isolating profession.
Recommended Citation
Gonzalez-Perez, Lissette, "Learning to teach: a multiple case study analysis on the role of professional learning community participation on pre-service teachers enrolled in a professional development school teacher preparation program" (2012). Theses and Dissertations. 173.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/173
