Case for Change in Teacher Preparation

Julie Gorlewski Professor, Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo Amanda Winkelsas Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the University at Buffalo Teacher Residency Program, Graduate School of Education, University at BuffaloSuzanne N. Rosenblith Professor and Dean, Graduate School of Education, University at BuffaloCorrie Stone-Johnson Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, Graduate School of Education, University at BuffaloElisabeth Etopio Assistant Dean for Teacher Education, Graduate School of Education, University at BuffaloDavid Gorlewski EdD, Teacher Education Associate, Graduate School of Education, University at BuffaloTiffany Karalis Noel Clinical Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo Bobbie Finocchio EdD, Teacher Education Associate for the University at Buffalo Teacher Residency Program and Clinical Faculty in the Office of Educator Preparation, Graduate School of Education, University at BuffaloAmanda Seccia PhD Candidate, Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo Ling Zhai PhD Candidate, Graduate School of Education, University at BuffaloErin Kearney Associate Professor, Graduate School of Education, University at BuffaloXiufeng Liu Professor, Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo Nooshin Shafaei Previous Assistant Director of the University at Buffalo Teacher Residency Program, Graduate School of Education, University at BuffaloTanika Shedrick Principal, Buffalo Public School #92, BUILD Community School

A Case for Change in Teacher Preparation could not have been published at a better time. COVID-19 has exacerbated many of the longstanding challenges facing public education: a severe and worsening teacher shortage; a demographic mismatch between a White, middle-class teaching force and a diverse population of students; and high rates of teacher turnover, especially in urban schools. As the leader of a School of Education who is passionately committed to public schools, I am always looking for creative ways to be of greater service to our local districts—but never more desperately than now! I am grateful to Julie Gorlewski and her co-authors for presenting a theoretically grounded, empirically proven, and thoroughly described plan for how to diversify the teacher corps and better prepare candidates for success in urban schools, all in close collaboration with district partners.Isabel Nuñez, Purdue University Fort WayneA Case for Change in Teacher Preparation: Developing Community-Based Residency Programs is a must-read for those seeking to create a sustainable pipeline of committed, diverse, and highly-effective teachers for urban and rural districts. The authors make the case for a dramatically reconstituted teacher preparation model—teacher residencies—that can bridge the historic divide between theory and practice through an intensive, community-based clinical experience that honors the knowledge and expertise of practitioners and university faculty. The book explores all aspects of the challenges and structures needed to successfully implement a residency model and provides specific details and concrete recommendations for those looking for a blueprint to design a teacher residency program.Therese Dozier, Director of Center for Teacher Leadership and Richmond Teacher Residency Program, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityA Case for Change makes it clear that transforming university-based teacher preparation into quality residency partnerships may take work, but the task is both worthwhile and within reach. The authors’ documentation of the University at Buffalo’s program shifts offers an incredibly helpful roadmap. The book is grounded in commitments to equity, strong theory, and current research, and is focused on sharing the story of how every part of their program shifted over the course of a few years. Any preparation program wanting to strengthen clinical practice would do well to read this timely volume.Karen DeMoss, Executive Director Prepared To Teach, Sustainable Funding for Quality Teacher Preparation, an initiative out of Bank Street College

• 1: Why a University-Based, Community Centered Teacher Residency Program; 2: Theoretical Frameworks for Research and Practice; 3: UBTR Program and the Buffalo Context; 4: The Residents; 5: Teacher Education Associates: Evolution of the Role; 6: Residency Partners: Schools and Mentor Teachers; 7: Transformation and Innovation of Coursework Through Instructional Modules; 8: Cultivating Collaborative Professionalism: Teacher Residency Summer Institute and Teacher Residency Consortium; 9: Continuous Improvement: Implementation and Evaluation; 10: Sustaining Change: Claims, Lessons, and Recommendations