Advice for the First Year
Physics Teacher:

Domain Statement

The purpose of this project is to explore the transfer of practical knowledge from expert physics teachers to beginning physics teachers, regarding their first year of teaching.
The topic is directly pertinent to me and the community of individuals about to start their first year as a physics teacher. The topic is also of interest to experienced teachers or other researchers of physics education. In addition, a large proportion of the content of this study applies directly to the interests of all first year teachers. Additionally, the shortage of teachers and high attrition rate of beginning teachers may possibly be reduced by improving the success of first year teaching experiences.

The topic of advice for the first year physics teacher is quite broad. The focus of this project is narrowed by the expert teachers in their response decision regarding what advice they feel is most critical. This topic is also important, because, to date, no similar study or series of interviews has been located. Many books and articles have been written on the topic regarding advice for teachers, but there appears to be a gap in the area of advice specifically for first year physics teachers.

I hope that you will personally find this project useful and interesting.

Please email comments to Julie-Peterson@nwu.edu Julie Peterson's home page.