An Alternative to Traditional Student Teacher Supervision in the Social Studies: A Case Study

Abstract

Some researchers have explored problems with the traditional triad student teaching framework (cooperating teacher--studet teacher--college supervisor), particularly the uneven, inconsistent quality of supervision provided by this triad. As a result, a number of alternative approaches have been proposed. National commissions have recommended combining the roles of cooperating teacher and college supervisor into one role called the “clinical master teacher” or “CMT,” who joins a cohort of CMTs that assumes responsibility for supervising student interns in the field. This study explores the perspectives and ideas of three secondary social studies teachers who participate in a clinical master teacher (CMT) supervisory program. Specifically, using case study methodology, the authors focus on the CMT s’ reflectivity and decision-making in social studies and supervision. The social studies CMTs in this study found that this program increased their effectiveness as teachers and supervisors, and they concluded that the added responsibility gave them a more vested interest in student teaching and in issues related to social studies content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge. Further, the teachers were able to share their ideas and views of social studies teaching and learning by participating in social studies education at the university level, thus bridging the gap between campus and classroom. On the other hand, while the CMTs in this study seemed highly analytical about their own supervision, content knowledge, and pedagogical content knowledge, little data from this study confirms that this was the case for their student teachers. The authors conclude that further efforts could be made systematically to encourage student teachers to be more reflective about social studies and broader teaching and learning matters. Overall, however, the CMT program appeared to address some of the deficiencies in traditional teacher education programs.