| Summary: | Data suggests that student teachers at a major Canadian university, when in conflict with their
faculty, tend to seek third party intervention in greater numbers than both their colleagues in
other academic units at that university, and their counterparts in teacher education programs
elsewhere. What does this mean? Is this particular teacher education program troubled, or are its
student teachers simply more troublesome?
These intentionally provocative questions frame the inquiry undertaken here. The situation,
captured at the focal point of conflict - the "complaint department," is presented within the
context of a large and venerable institution being called to account for its activites by a relatively
small and, for all intents and purposes, insignificant group of individuals. Whiney Student
Teachers strives to present a fair and balanced analysis from the perspective of the "complaint
handler." It is intended not to point fingers, criticize, blame, or otherwise suggest how teacher
education "ought" to be conducted, but to enhance empathy among participants, and to promote
positive opportunities for adult learning.
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