“A Teacher's Job Doesn't Only Happen in the Classroom”: Preservice Teachers, the Classroom, and the School

Teacher education introduces preservice teachers (PSTs) to their roles and responsibilities in classroom and school communities. As part of this process, PSTs identify themselves as potential agents of change during their practicum experiences. However, when PSTs participate in school communities outside the classroom, their actions suggest that they are uncomfortable in the role of responsible adult. This may be due to a lack of clarity of their simultaneous identity as student and adult role model. In addition, some negative aspects of the school experience may be rendered invisible to the PSTs. Teacher education must actively integrate tools to help PSTs recognize, articulate, and take action in their adult roles outside the classroom.