This article focuses on the design of the Cal Teach program compared to the traditional pathway through which teachers are prepared. It focuses on challenging issues in recruiting strong candidates (i.e., STEM majors) and how they are addressed, the preparation of candidates, problematic aspects of traditional teaching education programs and how Cal Teach is modeled and designed to overcome these problems. Mechanisms used to help retain graduates in the teaching force are described.
Models are a “Metaphor in Your Brain”: How Potential and Preservice Teachers Understand the Science and Engineering Practice of Modeling
This research study explored beginning secondary science teachers' understandings of the science and engineering practice of developing and using models. The team conducted interviews and used grade-level competencies outlined in the NGSS to analyze the beginning teachers' understandings.
Promoting STEM Teacher Reflection through Self-Evaluation
Evaluators of a Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program developed templates and guidelines with program leaders so that teachers could conduct their own evaluations of student outcomes. They discuss the challenges, explain improvements, and reflect on strengths and shortcomings of this approach.
What STEM Teachers Need to Know and Do for English Language Learners (ELLs): Using Literacy to Learn
This popular article describes how STEM literacy and English language learner literacy can be used together to help all students learn.
Pedagogical Language Knowledge: An Investigation of a Science Teacher Candidate’s Student Teaching Strengths and Struggles
The authors report the results of a case study designed to follow a teacher candidate's development and use of pedagogical language knowledge and the integration of science and language learning in a linguistically diverse classroom.
