man in black crew neck t-shirt using black laptop computer

Transforming teacher training – with huddles

Heather Bailie Schock, an assistant professor of education at the University of Tampa, emphasizes the importance of making teaching strategies visible to preservice teachers. Despite her efforts to model effective teaching techniques, students often failed to recognize them. To address this, she implemented medical-style huddles, which promote shared understanding among team members. These huddles, lasting no more than 15 minutes, begin with the question: “What did you see me do or model in class today?” This structure has led to sharper observations from students and has surfaced important concerns, such as confusion regarding state teacher-certification examinations. Schock noted: “Huddles help move pedagogy from theory to action.” By fostering a culture of celebration and reflection, these huddles have transformed the learning experience for preservice teachers, building community and reducing stress.