Joan P. Isenberg

Teacher education is under more scrutiny than ever as standards-based education is becoming more and more the norm. Although much literature is available that addresses developing teacher education, no one addresses how to create and develop a master’s level program. Gary R. Galluzzo, Joan Packer Isenberg, C. Stephen White, and Rebecca K. Fox, professors at the highly regarded Graduate School of Education at George Mason University, present a text to help deans and other professionals develop a master’s level degree program that meets the standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The various sections explain in depth the facets of the program’s design, including how to qualify future students answering the call by the National Board, provide researched evidence around Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning, and lastly, explore what will become the new standards of accountability for teacher education. Using their own experience as they reconceived their own program for a master’s degree for practicing teachers, the authors provide first-hand accounts of their own expectations, outcomes, and continual dilemmas to inspire more discussion how teacher education can improve the quality of teaching in America’s schools.

This book shows how teachers and educators can use stories of their professional experiences to reflect on their own practice, articulate values and beliefs, give shape and form to teaching theory, and better understand decision-making processes.