Calls for the way that we prepare teachers to change have been a recurring feature of education policy over several decades. Often, these calls have come from the political right, eager to see teaching only as a craft that can be learned on the job (with minimal or no collaboration with universities) and with student attainment - on whatever measure is currently favoured - the sole criterion of success. More recently, these calls have also been presented as an 'equity issue' and channelled through a discourse of 'social mobility'; Conservatives have learned how to argue on similar ground to the left, but with distinctive and consequential differences.

In this first CITED event in London of the 2019 - 2020 year, chaired by CITED Co-director Viv Ellis, we ask 'Why does teacher education need to change?' To provoke our thinking, we will listen to and discuss with three invited speakers:

Sameena Choudry: The founder of Equitable Education, a conusltancy driven by the values of social justice and equity, Sameena Choudhury has worked in a number of senior roles in education, including more recently as a senior learning standards and effectiveness officer. She tweets at @EquitableEd

Benjamin Doxtdator: A member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Oneida Nation), Benjamin Doxtdator grew up in Brantford, Ontario and now teaches English Literature at The International School of Brussels. He tweets at @doxtdatorb

Aileen Kennedy: A Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Edinburgh, Aileen Kennedy is the architect of Edinburgh's new MSc Transformative Learning and Teaching programme. She tweets at @DrAileenK

Our starting point in this discussion is that teacher education does indeed need to change. But how? Should universities continue to be involved in initial teacher preparation? What do schools need to do differently? What values should underpin initial teacher education and what kind of work should teachers be prepared to do? And who decides?

This event is free but admission is by ticket only and refreshments will be served.

Join us!

CITED@KingsECS