Nurturing Joyful Teaching in an Era of Standardization and Commodification

Abstract

Low teacher morale suggests a need for a renewed focus on joyful teaching. Moreover, mechanical lesson planning can discourage teacher candidates whose aspirations to teach pivot around their desire to make a difference in the lives of others while pursuing a career that will be joyful and fulfilling. Teacher educators can support candidates by engaging them in reflection and dialogue about the intrinsically joyful pedagogical and relational aspects of teaching.

Keywords:

• Clinical supervision
• joy
• moral dimensions
• morale
• progressive education
• reflection
• standardization
• student teaching
• teacher education
• teacher education
• teacher certification
• teaching