A Commitment to Teaching: Toward More Efficacious Teacher Preparation introduces the reader to a collection of thoughtful works by authors that represent current research and thinking about teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation. It is the intent of the book to provide the reader with current and relevant knowledge concerning preparation of committed and efficacious teachers. Teacher self-efficacy, and the presence of teacher efficacy, in teacher preparation and practice, is fundamental to preparing teachers for the public school classroom. As a construct, teacher self-efficacy beliefs are an integral aspect of the teaching process. While many authors refer to teachers' sense of self-efficacy for teaching, meaning their beliefs about their ability to perform the actions necessary to teach, many others have identified a specific form of self-efficacy pertaining to teaching. These have been called teaching or teacher efficacy. Chapter One opens the book with a focus on the teacher commitment and self-efficacy, providing the reader with an introduction. The authors of Chapters Two-Seven present field-based research that examines the complexities efficacy and commitment in the preparation of teachers. Each chapter offers the reader an examination of teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation and based on formal research that provides the reader with insight into how the research study was conducted as well as equally important, the findings and conclusions drawn with respect teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation. Finally, Chapter Nine presents an epilogue that focuses on the for more efficacious teacher preparation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface Acknowledgements Chapter 1. Ensuring Teachers' Commitment and Sense of Self-efficacy: The Role of Teacher Preparation Patrick M. Jenlink Chapter 2. The Relationship of Hours of Teacher Preparation Programs' Field Experiences and Pre-Service Teacher Candidates' Sense of Teaching Efficacy Alison Reddy, Shana Pribesh, Leigh Butler, and Charlene Fleener Chapter 3. How Reflectivity Impacts Teacher Candidates' Self-efficacy Sherri M. Weber and Julie J. Henry Chapter 4. A Framework for Measuring Algebra Teacher Self-efficacy Trena L. Wilkerson, M. Alejandra Sorto, William A. Jasper, Sandra Cooper, Winifred Mallam, Colleen M. Eddy, Yolanda A. Parker, Sarah Quebec Fuentes, Judy M. Taylor, and Elizabeth K. Ward Chapter 5. Development of Chinese Teachers' Self-efficacy in Professional Learning Community Qing Gao and Jian Wang Chapter 6. The Role of Self-efficacy and Other Characteristics of Elementary Mathematics Teachers: A Model to Predict Student Achievement James A. Telese, Zhidong Zhang, and Maria E. Diaz Chapter 7. Teachers' Knowledge, Perception, Sense of Self-efficacy and Role in Mental Health for Middle School Students Federico R. Guerra, Jr., Ashwini Tiwari, Nancy Razo, and Lionel Cavazos Chapter 8. Epilogue: Toward More Efficacious Teacher Preparation Patrick M. Jenlink About the Editor and Authors
