ERIC Number: EJ824201
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0093-3104
EISSN: N/A
Professional Development Becomes Political: Geography's Corps of Teacher Leaders
Kenreich, Todd W.
Theory and Research in Social Education, v30 n3 p381-400 Sum 2002
In the 1980s, the National Geographic Society launched a multi-million dollar campaign to improve teachers' knowledge of geography through the establishment of geographic alliances--networks of geography professors, teacher educators, and elementary and secondary teachers. To coordinate reform efforts in geographic education, the Society provides teacher professional development to create teacher leaders. Through analysis of observations, interviews, and a document, I explore how participants in an eight-day leadership academy construct their identities as teacher leaders. My analysis suggests that the development of political advocacy skills is an integral part of becoming a teacher leader. I argue that other professional organizations should consider this approach to professional development to advance their respective agendas of reform.
Descriptors: Geography Instruction, Lobbying, Geography, Educational Change, Faculty Development, Teacher Leadership, Teacher Educators, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, College Faculty, Knowledge Base for Teaching, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Observation, Interviews, Advocacy, Social Networks, Social Support Groups
College and University Faculty Assembly of NCSS. 8555 Sixteenth Street Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Tel: 800-683-0812; Tel: 301-588-1800; Fax: 301-588-2049; Web site: http://www.socialstudies.org/cufa/trse/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education; Elementary Secondary Education; High Schools; Postsecondary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A