Preparing Teachers for the World We Have and for the World We Want: Quality Teachers for a Global Context

Abstract

Preparing quality teachers has become a global concern as all nations strive toward excellence at all levels, be it economic, social, political, cultural, or, of course, educational. While there is little argument about the need for quality teachers and the key role they play in the socialization of citizens and the conveyance of national priorities, there is simultaneously little consensus around what constitutes quality and how quality teachers might be best attained. This paper will take up the question of quality teachers by exploring several pivotal questions: What might quality teaching mean in a global context? What should globally competent teachers know and be able to do? What are some of the issues, dilemmas, barriers, or structures that seem to interfere with the preparation and professional development of quality teachers? The paper ends with possibilities for reform and collaborative research in teacher education.