Purpose: Research in this field is becoming increasingly clear that a teacher residency program (TRP) has a strong potential for developing effective teachers in a teacher preparation context. There are specific features of a TRP that yield results in the development of teachers. However, there are often barriers to full implementation of a TRP…

This article aims to present evidence-based practices for developing physical education teachers' in-depth content knowledge (CK) that impacts their pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and student learning in physical education. The article describes the critical aspects of each CK and PCK by identifying the components of each knowledge domain.…

Educational coaches--whether math, literacy, instructional, or curriculum coaches--vary in the content of the work they do and in the grade range of the teachers with whom they work. But "good coaching is good coaching," as coaching expert Cathy A. Toll affirms in this, her newest book. All coaches seek to help solve problems and…

Teachers' autonomy contributes to their development and retention decisions. While proficient teachers would benefit from more autonomy, developing teachers often require more structure and guidance. This article reviews the literature surrounding autonomy and proposes an argument for a Graduated Teacher Autonomy framework: a theoretical tool…

The school principal has long been recognized as a critical driver for school improvement and student success, but new research supported by The Wallace Foundation has found that principals have an even greater impact than previously stated. A synthesis of two decades of studies builds on previous research about how principals impact student…

The co-teaching model is a system that has been designed to incorporate the use of more than one teacher in the classroom. As the use of co-teaching has become more prevalent in the educational system, it has proven to be beneficial to pre-service teachers (PSTs) and in-service teachers alike. Providing a framework that focuses each pre-service…

Clinical practice in teacher education has evolved from an apprenticeship model to one that finds it more intertwined with collaborative arrangements with partnering public schools. We look at how this evolution has had a major impact on the effectiveness of how teachers are prepared in an ever more complex society. We also describe how…

Realizing their coaching program was not having desired effects for teachers or for students' achievement, leaders in the Manor School District in Texas revamped the district's coaching program. They created two "communities" encompassing all coaches in the district (since district schools were each doing their own thing with regard to…

This article focuses on the "learning leader," exploring "What is professional learning leadership at its core?" Leaders of professional learning come to their responsibility from many roles, from teacher to district administrator, to instructional coach. They set the agenda for professional learning by aligning it to…

There are many professional development programmes on offer for primary science. The best of these involve teachers in developing practice over time, alongside engaging with theory. In this article, the author considers how working as part of a professional learning community can support a collaborative and evidence informed approach to improving…

Just like in a classroom, a professional learning facilitator needs to base planning and instruction on assessment. Adult learners need the learning experience to be as focused as possible on their questions and their teaching circumstances. Whether the professional learning is a half-day session or extends over multiple school years, leaders can…

We report an intensive graduate teaching assistant (GTA) training program developed at The University of Chicago. The program has been assessed and has been successful in preparing GTAs for effective discussion and laboratory teaching for both general and organic chemistry. We believe that this training program can provide insightful information…

On enrolment in a teacher education course, pre-service teachers embark on a complex voyage of self and professional discovery. In an attempt to assist them grapple with the multiple definitions of a "good" teacher, the authors developed a conceptual framework that captures core elements of change, transition and transformation.…

Since 2010, there has been much policy activity on teacher evaluation. Many education policy makers have embraced the idea that improved teacher evaluation can cultivate genuine improvements in the teaching force and improved student outcomes. Can genuine evaluation actually enhance the effectiveness of those evaluated? Using structured interviews…

Doctoral granting institutions prepare future faculty members for academic positions at institutions of higher education across the nation. Growing concerns about whether these institutions are adequately preparing students to meet the demands of a changing academic environment have prompted several reform efforts. We describe a professional…