The Role of Graduate and Undergraduate Interactions in the Development of Preservice Music Teachers and Music Teacher Educators: A Self-Study in Music Teacher Education

This teacher education self-study examined music teacher and music teacher educator development through the formal and informal interactions of undergraduate and doctoral students designed to facilitate community. Research questions included: (a) how do undergraduate students describe their interactions with music education PhD students; (b) how do music education PhD students describe their interactions with music education undergraduate students; and (c) how can the researchers change their practices to better meet the needs of the undergraduate students? Data included: a questionnaire from sophomore, junior and senior undergraduate students (N = 34); PhD student journals; a teacher education faculty journal; 12 undergraduate student interviews; an undergraduate student focus group; and six "self study" team focus group meetings. Findings suggest that: (a) interactions were positive but it was sometimes difficult to navigate the interactions; (b) undergraduates specifically value the stories of recent teaching experience that the PhD students can provide; and (c) undergraduates seem to change their views of the PhD students as they (the undergraduates) mature as teachers. Other findings address development of the PhD students as teacher educators. Suggestions for teacher education and research conclude the paper.