Towards a teaching career : how initial teacher education affects motivation to teach

Motivation involves energy and drive to learn, work effectively, and achieve potential. It is what moves us to do something, including being a teacher. This paper describes a research study of the impact of initial teacher education, its coursework and practicum. On the motivation to teach of two separate cohorts of elementary student teachers beginning their four-year initial teacher education courses at a suburban university in Sydney, Australia. Results indicated that the practicum rather than coursework more strongly and more positively affects student teacher motivation to teach. The paper concludes with recommendations for educators wishing to enhance the recruitment, retention and engagement of student teachers in initial teacher education – coursework and practicum.