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Volume 1, 2008

Submission Guidelines

National Student Teaching Supervision Conference 2008

The Field Experience Journal

Editor: Kim L. Creasy, Ph.D.

Cover:  At the center of this blanket is the Circle of Life with its Four Directions of east, south, west, and north, representing the four races (black, yellow, red, and white) as well as the four stages of an individual’s life journey (illumination, innocence, introspection, and empowerment).  The Four Directions of the Circle of Life provide a framework for problem-solving and leadership development.  Each direction corresponds to a stage in life’s journey as well as to specific stages in problem solving (from the Native American Multi-Cultural Education School).

• The East Direction is the direction of illumination and new beginnings.  When educators work in this direction, they focus on correct diagnosis of educational and life-skill needs, grade level assessment, images of respect and self-esteem, as well as understanding the special skill, talents and cultural heritage, which each student brings to a school.

• The South Direction is the direction of innocence and new vision. Educators work with students on developing goals, objectives and individual learning plans, based on a vision of their future. This is done with the traditional meaning of humility, the sense of their interdependence with family and friends.

• The West Direction is the direction of introspection. It is the place where reality and vision may collide. Using the value of compassion, educators work with students to develop reasonable strategies for achieving their educational goals.

• The North Direction is the direction of wisdom and accountability. This is the direction where students celebrate their accomplishments and learn to apply their learning through leadership. Truth is an important value at this stage.

*Four Direction descriptives are adapted from the Native American Multi-Cultural Education School.