Leave Your Attitude at the Door

The book is filled with humor, allowing readers to let their guards down a little and see the need for inculcating professionalism in work settings. The authors narrate accounts of students in training who cite seemingly legitimate reasons for absences only to be caught – thanks to social media – going on cruises…. As readers make their way through the book, a realization soon emerges. Transcending the this-is-my-obligation attitude in order to come to a place where ‘we make promises and keep them’ (59) is key. Commitment, talent, and care for the educational setting are tested by problems, dispositions, and attitudes (77). Anyone interested in navigating these realities would benefit from engaging this work. * Reflective Teaching *
Teacher educators in all capacities as well as teacher candidates will gain important and inspirational insights from this well-developed book about field experiences in teacher preparation. Reflecting the breadth and depth of their experiences in K-12 schools and higher education, the authors share the nuances of navigating field experiences in ways that benefit everyone. Capitalizing on the theme of preparing teachers for successful and satisfying careers in the classroom woven throughout this helpful and humorous text offers guidance and support for all readers. -- Nancy P. Gallavan, PhD, University of Central Arkansas, Professor of Teacher Education, Department of Teaching and Learning, 2013-2014 President, Association of Teacher Educations (ATE)
Check Your Attitude at the Door! Dispositions and Field Experiences in Education is an accurate and colorful account of the joys and challenges of preparing teacher candidates for clinical experiences. The authors skillfully identify the ways in which dispositional deficiencies can interfere with and derail a teacher candidate’s success. Their honest account provides insight and offers practical solutions and useful resources to help the teacher educator in their goal to produce highly competent and professional neophytes. -- Jamie Alea, PhD, San Jose State University
A partnership between a university and school district don’t just happen with signatures on a memorandum of agreement. The authors of Check Your Attitude at the Door! Dispositions and Field Experiences in Education use experience, not research to guide readers to understand partnerships are firmly established relationships built on honesty, open communication, and with individuals present and willing to be proactive, open-minded, take risks, and work as a team. -- Ashlie R. Jack, PhD, assistant dean, Wichita State College of Education
Check Your Attitude at the Door is a valuable resource for field supervisors and field placement coordinators. This book fills a gap in the professional literature by addressing both dispositional attitudes of preservice teachers and interventions strategies for redirecting teacher candidates in need. -- Barbara Purdum-Cassidy, coeditor of Culturally Affirming Literacy Practices for Urban Elementary Students (2016), and Teaching Literacy in Urban Schools: Lessons from the Field (2018)