The ethic of caring in teacher education

Interviews from an ethnographic study of elementary school teachers and students are cited to support the conclusion that an ethic of caring is essential to the definition of effective teaching. A process for restructuring teacher education programs on the basis of an ethic of caring is described. Seven characteristics of a teacher education program designed to promote the development of an ethic of caring are described: curriculum construction, modeling, dialogue, reflection, confirmation, practice, and continuity. It’s going to be very hard to leave you! I have had a great time with you. Thanks for all you’ve done to help me. I’m really going to miss you. You taught me the two most valuable lessons of all: to be myself, and to give my all to all I do, to try my hardest, and to do my best. You have been my best teacher and my best friend. You have kept me at the top because you care for me. I want to tell you thanks for everything you’ve given me, for caring for me, and for being yourself. No one can ever take the place of you. I love you so much. I mean it. (Note from a fifth-grade girl to her teacher) This fifth grader’s note of appreciation written to her teacher at the end of the school year vividly captures the power of teachers ’ caring. Numer-ous researchers, teacher educators, and others interested in the development of children have also emphasized the importance of caring in edu