Patrick M. Jenlink

A Commitment to Teaching: Toward More Efficacious Teacher Preparation introduces the reader to a collection of thoughtful works by authors that represent current research and thinking about teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation. It is the intent of the book to provide the reader with current and relevant knowledge concerning preparation of committed and efficacious teachers. Teacher self-efficacy, and the presence of teacher efficacy, in teacher preparation and practice, is fundamental to preparing teachers for the public school classroom. As a construct, teacher self-efficacy beliefs are an integral aspect of the teaching process. While many authors refer to teachers’ sense of self-efficacy for teaching, meaning their beliefs about their ability to perform the actions necessary to teach, many others have identified a specific form of self-efficacy pertaining to teaching. These have been called teaching or teacher efficacy. Chapter One opens the book with a focus on the teacher commitment and self-efficacy, providing the reader with an introduction. The authors of Chapters Two-Seven present field-based research that examines the complexities efficacy and commitment in the preparation of teachers. Each chapter offers the reader an examination of teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation and based on formal research that provides the reader with insight into how the research study was conducted as well as equally important, the findings and conclusions drawn with respect teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation. Finally, Chapter Nine presents an epilogue that focuses on the for more efficacious teacher preparation.

A Commitment to Teaching: Toward More Efficacious Teacher Preparation introduces the reader to a collection of thoughtful works by authors that represent current research and thinking about teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation. It is the intent of the book to provide the reader with current and relevant knowledge concerning preparation of committed and efficacious teachers. Teacher self-efficacy, and the presence of teacher efficacy, in teacher preparation and practice, is fundamental to preparing teachers for the public school classroom. As a construct, teacher self-efficacy beliefs are an integral aspect of the teaching process. While many authors refer to teachers’ sense of self-efficacy for teaching, meaning their beliefs about their ability to perform the actions necessary to teach, many others have identified a specific form of self-efficacy pertaining to teaching. These have been called teaching or teacher efficacy. Chapter One opens the book with a focus on the teacher commitment and self-efficacy, providing the reader with an introduction. The authors of Chapters Two-Seven present field-based research that examines the complexities efficacy and commitment in the preparation of teachers. Each chapter offers the reader an examination of teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation and based on formal research that provides the reader with insight into how the research study was conducted as well as equally important, the findings and conclusions drawn with respect teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation. Finally, Chapter Nine presents an epilogue that focuses on the for more efficacious teacher preparation.

The Language of Mathematics: How the Teacher’s Knowledge of Mathematics Affects Instruction introduces the reader to a collection of thoughtful works by authors that represent current thinking about mathematics teacher preparation. The book provides the reader with current and relevant knowledge concerning preparation of mathematics teachers. The complexity of teaching mathematics is undeniable and all too often ignored in the preparation of teachers with substantive mathematical content knowledge and mathematical teaching knowledge. That said, this book has a focus on the substantive knowledge and the relevant pedagogy required for preparing teachings to enter classrooms to teach mathematics in K-12 school settings. Each chapter focuses on the preparation of teachers who will enter classrooms to instruct the next generation of students in mathematics. Chapter One opens the book with a focus on the language and knowledge of mathematics teaching. The authors of Chapters Two-Nine present field-based research that examines the complexities of content and pedagogical knowledge as well as knowledge for teaching. Each chapter offers the reader an examination of mathematics teacher preparation and practice based on formal research that provides the reader with insight into how the research study was conducted as well as providing the findings and conclusions drawn with respect to mathematics teacher preparation and practice. Finally, Chapter 10 presents an epilogue that focuses on the future of mathematics teacher preparation.

The Language of Mathematics: How the Teacher’s Knowledge of Mathematics Affects Instruction introduces the reader to a collection of thoughtful works by authors that represent current thinking about mathematics teacher preparation. The book provides the reader with current and relevant knowledge concerning preparation of mathematics teachers. The complexity of teaching mathematics is undeniable and all too often ignored in the preparation of teachers with substantive mathematical content knowledge and mathematical teaching knowledge. That said, this book has a focus on the substantive knowledge and the relevant pedagogy required for preparing teachings to enter classrooms to teach mathematics in K-12 school settings. Each chapter focuses on the preparation of teachers who will enter classrooms to instruct the next generation of students in mathematics. Chapter One opens the book with a focus on the language and knowledge of mathematics teaching. The authors of Chapters Two-Nine present field-based research that examines the complexities of content and pedagogical knowledge as well as knowledge for teaching. Each chapter offers the reader an examination of mathematics teacher preparation and practice based on formal research that provides the reader with insight into how the research study was conducted as well as providing the findings and conclusions drawn with respect to mathematics teacher preparation and practice. Finally, Chapter 10 presents an epilogue that focuses on the future of mathematics teacher preparation.

At a time when America’s schools face many of the most difficult challenges ever, the authors of Leading for Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation return the reader to an agenda for democratic leadership for schools. Emphasizing the need for leadership preparation programs to reexamine existing and more traditional approaches to principal preparation, this comprehensive book draws to the foreground the need for a case-based approach that reflects the real-world problems and challenges faced by principals in schools today. In particular, Leading for Democracy emphasizes both a case-based pedagogy for principal preparation and the democratic ideals that provide the foundation for democratic schools, bringing into specific relief the work ahead for professors of educational leaders in preparing principals ground in democratic practice. Equally important, Leading for Democracy provides practical insight to the challenges of today’s principal, offering a set of pedagogical tools for professors to guide students of leadership in learning and understanding the difficult work required of leading democratically, set against the backdrop of a changing America.

The Other Side of the Desk explores the world of the principal with stories that capture readers' attention and moves them through the daily life of a school leader. Humorous and heart-wrenching memories fill each page as the author retells the stories that challenged her and affected her daily life as the principal of an elementary campus. Tareilo's experiences as a principal ranged from dealing with difficult teachers and parents to stories that will touch the lives of any educator. She reveals the working world of the principal in a clear, and sometimes frank, language with the intent to bolster and support newly positioned principals and reignite the leadership fire for those with many years of experience. From beginning to end, The Other Side of the Desk invites readers into a leadership experience that will have them laughing, crying, and believing that they too can make a difference in the lives of children.