An exploration into the influences on practice for new teacher educators

The purpose of this small-scale research study is to explore the influences on practice for new teacher educators. Teacher educators are recognised as an expanding professional group. As a result, there are areas within this heterogenous group where research is limited. This research seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding those who teach on initial teacher training courses in higher education. Adopting case-study as the method of inquiry enabled detailed construction of the influences on practice for teacher educators. The findings were interpreted from conducting five semi-structured interviews with teacher educators from within the same Higher Education Institute (HEI). The research found that values and beliefs which were formed as a teacher continue to influence practice as a teacher educator. This research also found that contextual factors related to HEI expectations and structure influenced how the values and beliefs were enacted within practice.