Teacher Preparation as an Inspirational Practice - of a Teaching

In this review of Teacher Preparation as an Inspirational Practice, the bottom line is clear: this book is for teacher educators and program designers who want a principled, morally informed framework for preparing candidates. Shelley C. Sherman focuses less on procedural change and more on what should remain constant in teacher education, arguing that nurturing responsiveness in prospective teachers is the most important aim. The book earned the 2015 AERA Division K Award for Exemplary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education, which signals its scholarly weight and practical relevance for those shaping teacher formation.

Key Features

• Award-winning research: The book is grounded in scholarship recognized by a major education research award, which supports its credibility for program leaders and faculty.
• Focus on responsiveness: Sherman offers a framework that helps teacher educators cultivate the capacity of candidates to respond to students' needs and contexts.
• Moral dimensions of teaching: Drawing on literature about moral aspects of teaching, the book makes ethical responsiveness an explicit part of preparation strategies.
• Practical obstacles addressed: The text identifies common barriers to enacting responsiveness and suggests realistic pathways for teacher education to overcome them.
• Candidate-centered approach: Sherman emphasizes responsiveness not just to future students but to teacher candidates themselves, supporting reflective and humane training.

Who It's For

Teacher Preparation as an Inspirational Practice is aimed at university faculty, teacher educators, program coordinators, and graduate students focused on curriculum and pedagogy in teacher education. Those seeking a research-based, ethically framed argument about what should remain central amid reform will find the book directly relevant.

Readers who want step-by-step classroom lesson plans or a how-to manual for teacher certification may need additional resources; this book is strongest as a conceptual and programmatic guide rather than a lesson-planning workbook.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well-researched and award-recognized, offering a credible foundation for program change.
• Clear emphasis on cultivating responsive capacities in candidates, which connects ethics to practice.
• Addresses real obstacles to implementation, making recommendations that are mindful of institutional realities.

Cons

• Not a practical lesson-plan resource, so instructors seeking templates will need to supplement the book.

Specifications

Title	Teacher Preparation as an Inspirational Practice
Author	Shelley C. Sherman
Award	2015 AERA Division K Award for Exemplary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education
Focus	Responsiveness and moral dimensions of teaching
Audience	Teacher educators, program leaders, graduate students
Approach	Research-based framework with implementation obstacles and recommendations

Our Verdict

Overall, this book is a strong choice for teacher education professionals who value ethical grounding and lasting principles over quick fixes. Sherman provides a persuasive framework for nurturing responsiveness in candidates, backed by award-winning research, and it is good value for programs ready to integrate moral and reflective aims into training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book research-based?
Yes. The book draws on scholarly literature and was recognized with the 2015 AERA Division K Award for Exemplary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education.

Will I find ready-made lesson plans?
No. The text offers a conceptual and programmatic framework rather than specific classroom lesson templates.

Who benefits most from reading it?
Teacher educators, program coordinators, and graduate students involved in designing or improving teacher preparation programs will gain the most.