While it is widely accepted that teacher quality is one of the most influential factors in predicting positive student outcomes such as academic success, identifying the key attributes and indicators of a quality teacher has been challenging. Due to mounting evidence that a teacher's pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) impacts both their practices…

All teachers are expected to teach inquiry-based science by the National Science Education Standards, the National Association of Science Teachers, and the Next Generation Science Standards (NRC, 1996; NSTA, 2012; NGSS Lead States, 2013). If this is the mandate for teachers of science, what does this look like over time for teachers? The current…

Student achievement is rooted in a teacher's ability to identify and assess student understanding of material. This is particularly challenging in classroom settings, which are dynamic and full of distractions, especially in science classrooms where discussion and inquiry are paramount. In mathematics education, the concept of "professional…

This dissertation research project presents the results of a longitudinal study that investigates the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of 13 preservice secondary science teachers participating in a science teacher credentialing/Masters program designed to integrate issues of equity and diversity throughout coursework and seminars. Results are…