America does not have a shortage of licensed teachers. It does, however, have a shortage of people who want to teach.

High pressure. Low pay. Little encouragement. More responsibilities heaped on each year. These are a few of the reasons the profession is bleeding personnel.

But that could change if educational institutions consider systemic and structural approaches that spark imagination, encourage collaboration and improve outcomes for both teachers and students.

How are the values of individual educators reflected in their decision making? How might teachers use feedback from a community to ensure its needs are met? How can educators encourage questioning and risk-taking? And how will they know their innovations are effective and lead to positive change for students and communities?

These questions are a part of a new series of courses ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College launched in its graduate teacher preparation programs in the fall 2021 semester.

Imagine a future where creating knowledge is driven by collaboration not competition. Where research is shared and not selfishly coveted and where the good of the community is of equal or  greater value than the accomplishments of the individual. 

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