http://dugganhaas.edublogs.org/2007/05/03/questions-to-ask-program-faculty-members-before-applying-to-a-teacher-education-program/ Raising questions about the ecosphere and the edusphere Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:35:34 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 http://dugganhaas.edublogs.org/2007/05/03/questions-to-ask-program-faculty-members-before-applying-to-a-teacher-education-program/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Sarah Thu, 03 May 2007 15:17:43 +0000 http://dugganhaas.edublogs.org/2007/05/03/questions-to-ask-program-faculty-members-before-applying-to-a-teacher-education-program/#comment-42 Having gone through an MAT program that might have been the death of my teaching career before it started, I will say that key players (your advisor, mentor etc.) can help turn a bad program into a good education. Something I think is important is educational philosophy of those members of the faculty that a prospective student will be working closely with. You’ll be much happier in a place where people think along the same lines you do. While its good to be open to other philosophies and have yours challenged (how well can you defend it), you’ll be miserable if you’re constantly at odds. Not sure what your educational philosophy is? Read what faculty members have written; consider your reaction to what they wrote. Are their research interests yours (or in the same ball park)? If you’re looking at a Master’s program, you’ll end up doing a thesis (project or something along those lines). Invariably you’ll end up working on things that your advisor is interested in. If you share interests, or philosophies, it will make your academic life a much happier place. Having gone through an MAT program that might have been the death of my teaching career before it started, I will say that key players (your advisor, mentor etc.) can help turn a bad program into a good education.
Something I think is important is educational philosophy of those members of the faculty that a prospective student will be working closely with. You’ll be much happier in a place where people think along the same lines you do. While its good to be open to other philosophies and have yours challenged (how well can you defend it), you’ll be miserable if you’re constantly at odds.
Not sure what your educational philosophy is? Read what faculty members have written; consider your reaction to what they wrote. Are their research interests yours (or in the same ball park)? If you’re looking at a Master’s program, you’ll end up doing a thesis (project or something along those lines). Invariably you’ll end up working on things that your advisor is interested in. If you share interests, or philosophies, it will make your academic life a much happier place.

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