Rites of passage in practice teaching experiences: A necessary evil?

Abstract

Teacher candidates are typically initiated into a community of practice through a field experience component or practicum. The practicum, in this chapter, is conceived of as a rite of passage into the teaching profession. Field experiences are a complex relationship involving teacher candidates and associate teachers/mentors that, in some cases, descend into acts of microaggression and lateral violence. By critically interrogating the power structures that create spaces for such aggressions and violence to occur, the authors work to expose a culture of fear in teacher candidates. The authors argue for the need for an open and honest dialogue on issues that continue to be discussed in informal settings but are rarely brought to the forefront in teacher education policies and practices.