Utilizing Teacher Communities to Strengthen Your Teacher Preparation Program

PhysTEC has identified a Teacher-in-Residence (TIR) as one of the key components that is shared by successful teacher preparation programs across the country. Many PhysTEC sites have come to rely on a TIR as an integral part of their physics teacher preparation program. The many job roles that are filled by a TIR include recruiter and advisor, instructor and mentor, Teacher Advisory Group (TAG) organizer and facilitator, and professional development provider to name a few. This will be a breakout session focusing on~the TIR roles, on maximizing the skills that a TIR brings to a teacher preparation program, and on the broader goal of building teacher community, including TAGs, to strengthen a physics teacher preparation program. The panelists will include experienced TIRs and site leaders that will be able to share their successes and challenges.