Preparing a Pathway of Professional Development for Teacher Educators in the Lifelong Learning Sector

Abstract

This paper offers an extension to ideas discussed in ‘Dealing with Change’ (Exley, 2010) which examined the transition of teacher to teacher educator in the Lifelong Learning Sector, and the possible creation of a recognised pathway, or pathways, for the professional development for teacher educators in the sector. A preliminary suggestion is made for a possible format suitable for a pathway in support of the professional development of teacher educators. This is based on the analyses of findings from current literature, education policy reform and primary research examining the perceptions of teacher educators regarding their own development. The original ideas on which this research is based were formulated from a discussion between the authors at a Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETT) Conference in 2009, ‘Just Suppose’, a national Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETT) Conference, held at the Eden Project, Cornwall.

Key Words

Teacher educator; teacher education; professional development; Lifelong Learning Sector.