Teacher education and public intellectuals

Students in their third and final year of BEd studies at the University of Auckland are required to complete an examined paper called Macro Influences on Education. The paper addresses education from philosophical, historical and sociological perspectives. A course text, 'Nga' Kaupapa Here: connections and contradictions in education' (2008), supports the course. The text includes a chapter written in te reo. A key argument of the course is that teachers and early childhood educators should be public intellectuals. Amongst other aspects, this involves having a clear understanding of politics at all levels from the global to the local, and a critical comprehension of how the education system works to favour particular groups and disadvantage others. A strong course emphasis is on the links between theory and practice, and teachers'/educators' professional work. Key theorists include Jean Anyon, John Codd, Roger Dale, Michel Foucault and Paulo Freire. The presentation will reflect on the paper and its impact, and the importance of this field of study for teacher education.