Mitigating the apprenticeship of observation

ABSTRACT Educational landscapes shift and change, and beginning teachers are poised to breathe new life into existing educational practices. However, not all nascent teachers are equipped to lead educational change and at times are more likely to implement traditional educational approaches. This study offers insights into the ways in which beginning elementary teachers do or do not replicate the kinds of classroom management systems used during their own childhood elementary education experiences as a result of what Dan Lortie calls the apprenticeship of observation. Results of this study indicate that, when designing their classroom management systems, first-year teachers draw from a range of both traditional and progressive influences including what they recall of their own childhood experiences, what they learned in their teacher preparation program, and what the more experienced teachers at their schools do. Possible conclusions point to the need for teacher preparation programs to remain engaged with graduates in order to help solidify what was learned through the program.