The Value of International Partnerships in Preparing Teachers

Abstract

Schools and colleges of education are preparing teachers to teach in a world that is much more connected than ever before. The teachers prepared for tomorrow's classrooms will need the knowledge and skills to serve a more diverse population of students. Thus, universities responsible for the training of teachers must respond to new needs when preparing those teachers for success by creating culturally conscious teachers. Through the development of an international consortium, preservice teachers can be immersed in culturally diverse teaching experiences, thereby offering them first-hand experience in the development of the skills needed to teach all students in a globally diverse environment. This chapter explores the development of the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST), including the perspectives of sending sites, receiving sites, and student participants, as well as suggestions for the creation of similar programs designed to meet the need to produce culturally conscious teachers.