Leave Your Attitude at the Door

Dispositions and Field Experiences in Education

By (author) Amy Thompson, Crystal Voegele, Chris Hogan

Publication date:

20 December 2016

Length of book:

110 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781475827095

Finding and troubleshooting placements in the field for teacher candidates can be challenging, frustrating, and sometimes amazing. This book is a compilation of the experiences of three clinical instructors at the University of Central Arkansas. They share stories of their challenges and their victories as well as ideas and suggestions for creating a successful experience for candidates in their field experiences. The material in the book reflects experiences in both undergraduate and nontraditional graduate programs. If you have struggled with creating successful field experiences, you may enjoy reading this book. Misery loves company.

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Pet Peeves about Field Experiences
Chapter 2: Disposition Issues and Aha Moments
Chapter 3: Different Perspectives and Different Players
Chapter 4: Can You Be Proactive?
Chapter 5: Building Effective Partnerships and Relationships
Chapter 6: Where Do You Go Next?
Chapter 7: Professional Development and Resources
Closing Thoughts
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
About the Authors

The book is filled with humor, allowing readers to let their guards down a little and see the need for inculcating professionalism in work settings. The authors narrate accounts of students in training who cite seemingly legitimate reasons for absences only to be caught – thanks to social media – going on cruises…. As readers make their way through the book, a realization soon emerges. Transcending the this-is-my-obligation attitude in order to come to a place where ‘we make promises and keep them’ (59) is key. Commitment, talent, and care for the educational setting are tested by problems, dispositions, and attitudes (77). Anyone interested in navigating these realities would benefit from engaging this work.