
David C. Virtue
Professor Western Carolina University
- Cullowhee NC
David C. Virtue is the Taft B. Botner Distinguished Professor of Middle Grades Education in the School of Teaching and Learning.
Social
Biography
Industry Expertise
Areas of Expertise
Education
University of Georgia
Ph.D.
Social Science Education
2002
University of Georgia
M.Ed.
Education
1997
Lafayette College
B.A.
Sociology and Anthropology
1989
Affiliations
- Association for Middle Level Education : Member
- AMLE’s Research Advisory Committee : Member
Languages
- English
Media Appearances
WCU’s Newest Professor Sees ‘virtue’ in Middle Grades Students
WCU Stories online
David Virtue has been involved with middle grades education for 20 years. So, when he first learned that he was named Western Carolina University’s Taft B. Botner Distinguished Professor of Elementary and Middle Grades Education this summer, it’s no surprise that he compared his reaction to the excitement of a middle schooler learning “they were getting a snow day.”
Articles
Preparing Middle Grades Candidates for edTPA in Uncertain Times
Current Issues in Middle Level Education2022
Teacher candidates in North Carolina must earn a passing score on the edTPA assessment to get certified. The middle grades education program at Western Carolina University integrates aspects of the edTPA assessment throughout pre-student teaching coursework and field experiences to prepare candidates for this high-stakes assessment.
Exploring experiential learning processes in the context of an international school–university partnership
New Directions for Teaching and Learning2022
Ongoing professional learning is essential for P−12 teachers to remain effective (Main & Pendergast, 2015). Professional learning can improve teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge, enhance teachers’ motivation and commitment to student learning, and build sustainable professional networks.
Middle Level Teacher Preparation across International Contexts
Middle Level Teacher Preparation across International Contexts2022
The authors describe characteristics of programs that prepare teachers of young adolescents and to gain a deeper understanding of essential program features and the factors and forces that influence the way programs are designed, implemented, and evaluated. The authors conducted a qualitative metasynthesis of 15 case studies of teacher preparation programs based in higher education institutions in 11 different countries: Angola, Australia, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Japan, Norway, Spain, Turkey, Uganda, and United States.
Simulating Collaboration in a Blended Course for Preservice Middle Grades Teachers: Attending to Team, Task, and Time
Current Issues in Middle Level Education2021
Collaboration and teamwork are essential aspects of the work of a professional middle level teacher and an integral part of AMLE Standard 5. Preservice teachers typically experience collaborative practices firsthand during field experiences, but the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many schools to shift instruction online thereby limiting the opportunities for teacher candidates to experience daily life in schools.
A Review of Trends in the Scope of International Scholarship in Middle Level Education, 1989-2019
Middle Grades Review2020
Middle level education as a field of study has expanded during the last 30 years to include a growing, international knowledge base. The primary purpose of this review essay is to highlight trends in the extent to which refereed scholarship in the field of middle level education has reflected international content and perspectives during the last 30 years.