Understanding the Realities of Teaching: A Seminar Series Focused on Induction

Overview & Synopsis

The role of school teachers is becoming increasingly complex. This complexity may be even more pronounced for physical education teachers, who must often cope with additional challenges stemming from marginalization, isolation, and teacher/coach role conflict. Physical education teachers must also manage relationships with colleagues, administrators, parents, and students who may have varying perceptions of and expectations for physical education. As a result, physical education teacher education programs should include focused coursework to prepare preservice teachers for the realities of school life and their first teaching position. Doing so may reduce the reality shock and the washout effect experienced by some beginning physical education teachers by helping to bridge the transition from student to teacher. Toward this end, this article presents an example of a teacher education seminar series that includes strategies focused on inducting preservice teachers by teaching them about the realities of working in schools.