Dr. Catharine Bleasdale

 

I have been a teacher educator for over 20 years, working with undergraduate, post-graduate and work-based student teachers undertaking their Initial Teacher Education. Although I am a primary practitioner, I have worked on both primary and secondary ITE programmes. My professional interest focuses on partnership working - developing and enhancing provision through co-construction and co-working to ensure high quality teacher education that responds to the expectations of the Professional Standards. My role as a Primary Curriculum Tutor within the PGCE Wales team gives me the opportunity to engage with student teachers, their mentors, school co-ordinators and practice tutors to support their progress towards the award of Qualified Teacher Status. 

 

 

Teacher Professional Identity (TPI) development - my PhD study, which I completed in 2023, focuses on student teachers' TPI development during their Initial Teacher Education. It considers the influence of self and others in the trajectory of individuals' TPI development, and the concept of 'fitting in' to the Community of Practice of teachers.

My interest in TPI development has been further enhanced by several PRAXIS projects considering how to support student teachers' developing reflective skills - involving engagement with more experienced others, using video technology or following established models of reflection.

I also have an interest in the field of coaching and mentoring in relation to ITE. Recently, I have been involved in a project with the Lesotho College of Education focusing on developing the coaching and mentoring skills of the 'co-operating teachers' (mentors) within the schools supporting student teachers on teaching practice. 

 

 

As a Primary Curriculum Tutor, I am engaged in supporting student teachers in their understanding of many aspects of primary education in Wales, including learning and teaching, curriculum design, pedagogy, assessment, reflection & professional learning. I have a particular interest in Language, Literacy and Communication, and am keen to encourage the use of dramatic approaches to engage pupils in their learning. 

 

 

My involvement with Practice Tutor development involves supporting Practice Tutors with their role in order to impact positively on provision for student teachers within the PGCE Wales partnership. As Practice Learning Lead, I have strategic input into continued development of the OU Partnership's workbook within the Professional Learning Passport, which supports student teachers' collation of appropriate evidence to demonstrate their readiness for Qualified Teacher Status.

 

 

I work with Dolen Cymru (charity) as a member of their Education committee to develop provision for Initial Teacher Education within Lesotho. As a member of the TESSA group within the Open University, I am involved in international research and knowledge exchange relating to Teacher Professional Development in Sub- Saharan Africa.