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SubscribeThe future of teacher education: Department presents speaker series
Teacher education is currently the focus of much debate and criticism. Should teachers be educated at universities? Should teachers and teacher education programs be held accountable for K-1 student test scores? These are just a couple of questions that are being asked among educators, policymakers and the news media.
The teacher preparation program at Michigan State University is highly regarded nationally, and many faculty members in the College of Education are considered leading teacher educators and teacher education researchers. This positions MSU as an institution that might play a role in the discussion, not just in professional organizations, but at the state level and in national talks about teacher education practice, programs and policies, and in movements to hold programs and teachers accountable. To stimulate thinking about what should be done institutionally and individually, the Department of Teacher Education is sponsoring a series of visitors this spring and next year.
The series is underwritten by funding from the Marianne Amarel Fund, which was donated by friends and family members in honor of Marianne, a long time teacher and teacher educator who participated in the development of the Holmes Group and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
The events this spring will feature:
Deborah Ball and Francesca Forzani, Teaching Works, University of Michigan — March 29
Ken Zeichner, University of Washington — April 24
Sharon Feiman Nemser, Brandeis University — May 3
Each visitor will spend one day in Erickson Hall. One public talk will be given from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 252. A light lunch will be served. The rest of the day will involve hourlong small group meetings with faculty, staff and doctoral students. These meetings are meant to be times for groups to have substantive discussions about topics of their choice.
If you are interested in spending time with one of the visitors, contact Terry Edwards, edwar375@msu.edu. The schedule most likely will not allow for one-on-one appointments.
