Developing Dispositions - Examining Mentors and Beginning Teachers

Teachers today are faced with a myriad of responsibilities from studentachievement to developing socially responsible citizens. Schools of educationwork on promoting teacher knowledge and skill however little has been doneto advance the necessary dispositions needed to meet the diverse needs ofstudents. Perhaps this is because few schools have been able to define what"disposition" is much less promote and evaluate the impact of disposition onteacher development or student learning. This study, conducted in collaborationwith world renowned scholar Dr. Alan J. Reiman, examines professionaljudgment and action as key components of teacher disposition.Specifically, it addresses how mentor disposition impacts work withbeginning teachers and how beginning teacher disposition impacts workwith students. The book is geared toward teacher educators, those engagedin professional development, and educational researchers interested in thearea of teacher disposition. It provides a concrete, measurable definition ofdisposition including rubrics for evaluation and explores professionaldevelopment programs that can be replicated in various environments.