Teachers who reveal Jesus: How do pre-Service teachers perceive their strengths as future educators?

Abstract

This chapter investigates the issue of how pre-service teachers see their strengths and weaknesses as they prepare to graduate and join the ministry of teaching. The debate between professional teacher education programs covering mandated standards as opposed to providing a deep academic, philosophical, and spiritual grounding in the teaching career is examined. A small survey was completed by a cohort of pre-service teachers in their final year of study. The results indicate that these future educators seem to be more confident with their ability to relate to students than with their ability to meet all of the mandated standards and perform all of the fine skills required in the teaching profession. The chapter concludes by suggesting that students’ perceived abilities in relating to students should be nurtured by their Christian school workplaces to make these relationships count in the faith development of their students.