A survey of the perceptions of Tennessee teachers, their administrators, and teacher educators regarding preservice music teacher preparation

Beginning music teachers often have a sense of unpreparedness as they approach their classroom teaching. Many believe that their preservice training is to blame. Some music teacher educators believe that they cover as much as they can in a classroom setting and the rest comes from experience. Many school music administrators believe that much of the expected skills and knowledge should be learned during the preservice component of the teacher's career. This research study addresses perceptions of each stakeholder: What do preservice teachers expect to receive from their education program? What do music administrators expect from these beginning teachers? What do music teacher educators expect from their students? Surveys, studies, and interviews are utilized to collect these views and opinions in order to aid in an enhanced communication involving Tennessee beginning teachers, their administrators, and teacher educators regarding preservice music teacher preparation.