HPT In Teacher Prep Programs

K-12 education embodies the idea that a teacher should always be flexible. The reasoning behind having this quality is that education is always changing; if teachers are flexible, they will accommodate to the needs of change. With that behind said, education is losing many great teachers because of their lack of flexibility; this lack of flexibility is leading to early teacher burn out. Thankfully, this burn out can be exponentially changed with an HPT mindset.

To alleviate the early teacher burn out rate, it is important to, not only, target current teachers, but also the future educators in our universities' teacher preparation programs. These individuals are being taught theories, pedagogical methods, subject-centered information, and historical references that affect our current educational system. However, there are many issues that, with prior practice and exposure, will help to improve a novice teacher's experience in the field of education.

The next section will provide a few examples of how HPT can be systematically implemented into teacher prep programs to improve the quality of instruction. The examples provided will highlight the key issues, possible solutions, and possible methods to implement these methods into a program. It is the overall goal, as with any instructional design, to improve the overall understanding of the educational profession as well as better prepare out educators for the education field.

Key Issues, Solutions, and Implementation

Key Issue #1 - Fieldwork Experience

Many preservice teachers spend their Junior and Senior years preparing for the education field by completing observation and student teaching hours.
As a result of this, it is expected that these preservice teachers gain experience and techniques from real-world teachers for them to utilize.
The problem with this current practice is that student teaching for half of an academic year is not nearly enough time for a preservice teacher to fully understand the teaching profession.

Possible Solution #1 - Fieldwork Experience

HPT determines a problem in an organization and finds a direct solution to solving the problem. In this case, the problem is the lack of time a preservice teacher has during their observation and student teaching hours.
One possible solution is to require more hours prior to their Junior and Senior years.
Another possible solution is to create a program that requires preservice teachers to remain in school until they receive a two-year masters degree. This solution would create a situation where preservice teachers receive their 4-year degree along with an additional 2-year degree.

Key Issue #2 - Paperwork

Along with not having enough fieldwork experience, many current educators believe the amount of paperwork that needs completing is overwhelming.
This issue is one of many reasons why educators leave the profession.

Possible Solution #2 - Paperwork

Paperwork will be found in any profession. In education however, it adds on to the other tasks that need completing. This issue can lead to quick teacher burnout and resentment toward the profession.
Providing preservice teachers with experience with organizing, completing, filing, and filling out paperwork while they are at university can assist in teacher preparation.