Abstract:
This paper derives from research which examined the development of the professional relationship between associate teachers and student teachers during the final block practicum. Through my professional experiences as an associate teacher in primary schools and more recently as a school liaison lecturer in the School of Education, University of Waikato, I developed an interest in the way professional relationships developed between associate teachers and student teachers.
The main purpose of the study was to firstly identify principles which appeared to be important to the development of the professional relationship, and secondly to identify specific strategies associate teachers employed to support and enhance the professional development of their student teachers. As the study developed four main themes emerged. The first theme, personal connectedness, highlighted how important it was to make connections on both a personal and professional level. The second theme, collaboration, emphasised the v alue that all participants placed on teamwork and collaborative strategies. The third theme, which arguably was integrated throughout all themes, was role interpretation. This theme addressed the understandings and expectations associate teachers and student teachers had of their roles. The fourth theme was style of supervision which drew attention to how associate teachers and student teachers identified and implemented various styles of supervision.
This paper focuses on the theme of collaboration and more specifically on the collaborative strategies that were identified in the study as being most conducive to the development of an effective professional relationship between associate teachers and student teachers.
The main purpose of the study was to firstly identify principles which appeared to be important to the development of the professional relationship, and secondly to identify specific strategies associate teachers employed to support and enhance the professional development of their student teachers. As the study developed four main themes emerged. The first theme, personal connectedness, highlighted how important it was to make connections on both a personal and professional level. The second theme, collaboration, emphasised the v alue that all participants placed on teamwork and collaborative strategies. The third theme, which arguably was integrated throughout all themes, was role interpretation. This theme addressed the understandings and expectations associate teachers and student teachers had of their roles. The fourth theme was style of supervision which drew attention to how associate teachers and student teachers identified and implemented various styles of supervision.
This paper focuses on the theme of collaboration and more specifically on the collaborative strategies that were identified in the study as being most conducive to the development of an effective professional relationship between associate teachers and student teachers.