CHAPTER 7: The Wisdom of Fifth Graders

ABSTRACT This chapter discusses a study that asked fifth grade students to describe a good teacher and offer insight into how teacher education programs can help people become good teachers. The students were predominantly African American, and underserved. The outcomes of the study support the contention that student voice is an important, although neglected, resource for a renaissance in teacher education. Their insights are presented and discussed with reference to the literature, the experience of the authors, and the theme of this edited volume. Sensitivity to what students have to say, in the authors' view, contributes to a renaissance in teacher education.