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Ms. Creighton: A Philosophical Conflict In The Classroom

Decent Essays

1. Who should be responsible, according to university rules, for giving the final grade in student teaching? Although not stated explicitly, the text implies that the collaborating teacher provides the university with a grade recommendation. Unfortunately in this scenario the student might receive a “C”, therefore, would not be eligible to graduate with a teaching certification. 2. To what extent is this situation a generational conflict? A philosophical conflict? A class conflict? In my opinion, this situation is primarily a philosophical conflict. Ms. Creighton’s prefers structure, clear student-teacher relationships, and seems to rely on instructional practices that she has used and trusts. In contrast, Susan is friendly with students, …show more content…

It is in the best interest of the Harrison Elementary School students to provide them with a teacher that knowlegable of the content, demonstrates quality teaching practices, and upholds a high professional standard. Although the student teacher is quick to critique Ms. Creighton’s practices, I doubt that Ms. Creighton would still be employed after 30 years if she didn’t demonstrate some of these qualities. Certainly, Ms. Creighton’s may have areas to improve in her pedagogical strategies, but that does not mean she is not acting in the best inetrest of the students. In my opinion, it would have been in Susan’s best interest to have been placed with a different collaborating teacher because it is obvious that their teaching styles are not compatible. Unfortuantely, the conflict between Ms. Creighton and Susan was not communicated to Principal Morgan earlier in the student teaching experienece so that a switch could have been made. Given that Susan is risking not receiving certification, it would be valuable for her to have her university advisor and/or Principal Morgan conduct a series observations of her teaching. If there is not already a protocol in place, the observations may provide sufficient evidence to support a better …show more content…

I would categorize Susan’s level of turbulence as severe, because it is likely she is experiencing “a feeling of crisis”. In contrast, Ms.Creighton and Principal Morgan are likely experiencing a moderate degree of turbulence because of the “widespread awareness of the issue”, however, if Susan does not achieve certification it will not affect them directly (Shapiro & Gross, 2013, p. 18). To insure continued success within his school’s student-teacher program it would be valuable for Principal Morgan to consider how pairs are selected, and how collaborating teachers are trained. In this scenario, its seems that the student teaching process is being used as a high-stakes final test before a graduate enter the profession. Perhaps, if Principal Morgan could maintain an emphasis within his staff that student teaching is a learning opportunity he could avoid situations like this one in the

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