Preservice Teacher Preparation

Preservice teacher preparation is the process of educating students with regard to the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to become teachers. Preservice teacher preparation is necessary because learning to teach is not a self-actualizing occurrence from the received wisdom of years observing [Page 1072]the profession as a student. In other words, teachers aren’t simply produced from their experiences as students with addition of subject matter and teaching techniques in their college years. Preparation to teach offers a shift in thinking from past experiences as students to the perspectives of teachers. Research suggests a nuanced and complex understanding of how students become teachers. This entry discusses the practice, policy, and politics of teacher education.