The Other Side of the Desk: Stages and Problems of Teacher Development

Each year approximately 200,000 young adults undergo a metamorphosis, changing from college students into teachers. The process usually consumes 4 years. During that interval, courses are taken in three somewhat distinguishable areas. First, general education is pursued. In that regard students study the humanities and the social and natural sciences. Second, they take work in the content field or fields in which they intend to teach-for example, English or mathematics. Finally, they study education, wherein they explore the many aspects of teaching and learning, and they practice applying what they have learned in classrooms.