Wendy Hastings

Regenerating Rural Social Space? Teacher Education for Rural—Regional Sustainability

The complex interconnection among issues affecting rural—regional sustainability requires an equally complex program of research to ensure the attraction and retention of high-quality teachers for rural children. The educational effects of the construction of the rural within a deficit discourse are highlighted. A concept of rural social space is modelled, bringing together social, economic and environmental dimensions of (rural—regional) sustainability. This framework combines quantitative definitional processes with more situated definitions of rural space based on demographic and other social data, across both geographic and cultural formations. The implications of the model are examined in terms of its importance for teacher education.

Emotions and the Practicum: The Cooperating Teachers' Perspective.

The paper reports some of the findings of a qualitative case study that examined the perceptions of the role of cooperating teachers as they supported pre‐service teacher colleagues. The study revealed a number of significant issues related to professional learning and teachers’ ‘ways of knowing’. One of the most significant results to emerge was the emotional dimension of the role of the cooperating teachers. Previous studies related to education per se have identified an ‘emotional dimension’ for the students and teachers, respectively. However, there has been limited research that identifies this important aspect of pre‐service teacher education programmes for the school‐based teacher educator. This paper explores issues related to the emotional intensity of the role through the ‘voices’ of the cooperating teachers as they describe the roller‐coaster ride of emotions that the practicum generates. Discussion will address the implications of such findings in light of the increasing demands of teachers’ work and the complexity of their workplace.The paper reports some of the findings of a qualitative case study that examined the perceptions of the role of cooperating teachers as they supported pre‐service teacher colleagues. The study revealed a number of significant issues related to professional learning and teachers’ ‘ways of knowing’. One of the most significant results to emerge was the emotional dimension of the role of the cooperating teachers. Previous studies related to education per se have identified an ‘emotional dimension’ for the students and teachers, respectively. However, there has been limited research that identifies this important aspect of pre‐service teacher education programmes for the school‐based teacher educator. This paper explores issues related to the emotional intensity of the role through the ‘voices’ of the cooperating teachers as they describe the roller‐coaster ride of emotions that the practicum generates. Discussion will address the implications of such findings in light of the increasing demands of teachers’ w...

I Knew that She Was Watching Me: The Professional Benefits of Mentoring.

This paper reports the findings of a qualitative case study of the benefits for teachers undertaking the role of mentor/supervisor in pre‐service teacher education programmes. The research has a particular focus on school‐based teacher educators working in rural and/or isolated communities and uncovers the role of reflection associated with professional experience programmes. The researchers endeavoured to capture the rich tapestry of the variety of settings, both Early Childhood and Primary, in rural New South Wales, Australia. The participants were providing professional support for pre‐service teachers with varied levels of experience from first year through to internship. A further complexity was added by including mentors with a wide variation of experience both as mentors and as classroom teachers. Prior research suggests that teachers find the mentoring role to be professionally and personally rewarding. While this study would support such findings, it also identifies new issues associated with rurality and isolation. Given the complexities of the data sources, the findings expose a breadth and depth of outcomes for the participants engaged in reflective practices. The study gives voice to the teachers involved and makes recommendations to the teaching profession on ways that might better serve the needs of teachers in these communities.

Restructuring and Reculturing: practicum supervision as professional development for teachers

This paper reports a small case study in which selected experienced co-operating teachers were appointed as school-based teacher educators (SBTE) undertaking a supervisory/ mentoring role for the 3-week period of the first practicum for students in a one-year Graduate Diploma of Education-Secondary (GDE) course. The study identifies any benefits that accrue as a result of changes to the traditional triadic arrangement and any changes in perception about the various roles of participants. The findings illuminate the opportunities for a more collaborative practicum model that has the potential to benefit all participants.

I Felt so Guilty: Emotions and Subjectivity in School-Based Teacher Education.

Research in the field of emotions in relation to teaching is relatively new, but expanding. However, studies addressing the emotional dimension of preservice teacher education, particularly with respect to the role of school‐based teacher educators are currently under‐represented in the literature. This paper reports findings from a study focussed on the emotional dimension of the practicum for school‐based teacher educators as they support preservice teacher colleagues. It adopts a qualitative method informed by feminist post‐structural theory in an attempt to give meaning to teachers’ narratives of their personal responses to supporting a less than successful preservice teacher. The study investigates teachers’ shifting sense of agency throughout the experience as they work within apparently intersecting discursive frames. The case study reveals the depth of emotions experienced by teachers and examines the impact of the emotions on teacher identity. It appears that the tertiary sector has failed to recognise the emotional costs of such experiences and the associated needs of school‐based teacher educators. Finally, the paper asks in what ways can staff in universities work collaboratively with teachers to address the concerns being raised by a study such as this, as there appears to be a genuine need to assist teachers copes with the emotional outcomes of working with problematic preservice teachers.

Research and the ambiguity of reflexivity and ethical practice

This paper examines the methodological dilemmas associated with analytical framing as an aspect of the research process. Doing qualitative research potentially changes a researcher – changes their sense of self, who they think they are, who they want to become. The paper examines the ethical dilemma of what that change might mean – for the project, the researcher and the participants. Would respondents be so open if they were that aware the research(er) potentially could change during the performance of the research project? What are the implications, if any, of engaging respondents with the intention of telling their story as a narrative inquiry, then analysing the data through a feminist post-structuralist lens? How does a researcher honour the perspectives of the participants, while simultaneously bringing to bear the critique and understanding provided by employing a post-structuralist lens? The paper pays particular attention to the interactive interview, as it generated possibilities for a researcher to establish a level of trust and rapport such that (emotional) stories could be heard and then later, represented as interpretations of the researcher.