Establishing professional relationships in practicum settings

• Published in: Teaching and teacher education Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 790 - 797
• Main Author: Ferrier-Kerr, Jenny L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Associate teacher; Collaboration; Cooperating Teachers; Interprofessional Relationship; Learning; Personal connectedness; Practice placements; Practicum; Practicum Supervision; Practicums; Preservice Teacher Education; Preservice training; Professional relationship; Professional training; Reflection; Role interpretation; Student teacher; Student Teacher Attitudes; Student Teachers; Style of supervision; Teacher Attitudes; Teacher-Student relationships; Associate teacher; Student teacher; Style of supervision; Personal connectedness; Collaboration; Role interpretation; Practicum; Reflection; Professional relationship
• ISSN: 0742-051X; 1879-2480
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2009.01.001

The relationship between an associate teacher and student teacher is a crucial aspect of the practicum experience in pre-service teacher education. Establishing a professional relationship is critical to the learning that occurs during the practicum and is an element that requires a professional approach by all parties. This paper discusses a study which investigated the nature and substance of the professional relationship established between associate teachers and student teachers during a final block practicum. The findings indicated that for the associate teacher and student teacher to establish and develop a successful professional relationship both must be active in it.