You have decided to become a teacher. What does it mean to be a teacher? How should we define good teaching? How do race, gender identity, and cultural identification shape your language and thinking? How can national and state standards help make you a good teacher? In considering these questions, accept the invitation of Quaker Parker Palmer to open your heart and your mind, to discover your identity and integrity and to “awaken the teacher within”—not only within yourselves but also within your students. This course presents the foundations of teaching - introducing ideas, goals, approaches, theories and concepts of teaching that are central to all other Earlham M.A.T. courses. As an introduction to teaching, Ed 510 explores the characteristics of the effective educator in today’s society. Topics covered include the M.A.T. conceptual framework, the Earlham mission statement, principles and practices (deriving from Quakerism) and their infusion in the M.A.T. program; also included are Indiana Professional Teacher Developmental Standards, and Indiana Content Standards. This course will also develop and reinforce candidates’ understandings of how to create and successfully participate in a community of learners. Rather than working in isolation, you will have ample opportunities to construct a culture of collaboration, both in and outside the classroom. In the process we expect you to learn and value consensus decision-making, which reinforces collaboration.