If you Google “the problem in education,” you’ll find a wide range of research exploring the gap between university-level education and the realities of the classroom. This issue isn’t unique to education—it spans many industries. As Kalakay (2023) points out, bridging the gap between university and industry is crucial to preparing people for the workforce. While his focus is on business, the same concept applies directly to teacher education.
Post-secondary teacher training should prepare students for the realities of work in schools. But when academic programs lean too heavily on theory—and when professors haven’t worked in the field for years—the disconnect only grows wider. This issue is especially visible in teacher preparation programs, where new educators often enter classrooms underprepared for real-world teaching challenges.
From our unique perspective as educators, we see this issue on two levels:
- Universities focus too much on educational theory and not enough on practical teaching experience.
- As teachers, we often don’t prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
This blog is for those who are pursuing a career in teaching and want to bridge this gap through practical classroom experiences, teacher skill development, educator networking, career support, and ongoing professional learning (Kalakay, 2023; Lifeology, 2024; Roth, 2009).
The Need to Bridge the Gap: A Personal Story
The Education System Failed Me
When I was in school, learning disabilities weren’t widely acknowledged—if they were even recognized at all. If you struggled, you were simply labeled “not bright,” and people moved on. Looking back, I now know that I wasn’t incapable of learning. I just needed more repetition and better support for my learning needs. Unfortunately, that support didn’t exist at the time.
Off to University
If elementary and high school weren’t equipped to support students like me, university education certainly wasn’t either. I barely made it through my first degree in History. My Education degree was more aligned with my passion and strengths, and I had a generally positive experience—but even then, there were major gaps in what I needed to know once I entered a real classroom.
“There always seemed to be a gap between university and the reality of teaching in the classroom.”
Suddenly, I Was the Teacher
Before I knew it, I was leading a kindergarten classroom with 20 smiling faces looking up at me—and I had no idea where to start. The pressure was immense. I didn’t feel prepared to teach children how to read or write, navigate delicate conversations with parents, or recognize learning difficulties. I was left to figure it out on my own, isolated in my classroom without the support I desperately needed.
How I Can Help
Sadly, my experience isn’t unique. Many new teachers feel unprepared when they first step into a classroom. While teacher education programs focus on theory, the day-to-day demands of teaching require hands-on, practical skills.
I may not be able to change the structure of teacher education at the university level, but I can support new teachers in bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Research across industries shows that certain strategies can ease the transition from school to work:
- One-on-one teacher mentorship (Post: I See You, New Teacher)
- Parent communication strategies
- Curriculum planning and subject integration
- Career guidance and resource sharing (Planning and Assessment) (Lifeology, 2024; Roth, 2009)
Why I Created Creating Bridging
This is exactly why I launched Creating Bridging. While I can’t yet overhaul how universities train future teachers, I can focus on helping those who feel lost in the transition from student to educator.
In the first phase of this project, I’ll be developing teaching resources and offering practical guidance for new teachers through this blog. I’ll also provide educator coaching and continuous learning opportunities aimed at building the real-world skills needed in the classroom. Future phases will include online courses, peer networking opportunities, and eventually, partnerships with universities to support this mission from the inside out.
The Goal
My goal is simple: to provide mentorship and support to anyone feeling the disconnect between academia and classroom teaching—so they can step into their careers with confidence and competence.
Let’s work together to bridge this gap and make the journey into teaching one that feels supported, informed, and successful.
References
Kalakay, J. (2023). Bridging the gap between academia and the business world: Fostering collaboration for success. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bridging-gap-between-academia-business-world-success-jerrid-p-#:~:text=Internship%20programs%2C%20joint%20research%20projects%2C%20and%20guest,expertise%2C%20and%20the%20potential%20for%20innovation%2Ddriven%20collaborations.
Lifology. (2024). Bridging the gap between education and market reality. Harvard Mentoring Program. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bridging-gap-between-education-market-reality-lifology-com-guidance-m6u5f#:~:text=Communication%2C%20teamwork%2C%20problem%2Dsolving,%2C%20visit%20harvardmentoring.com%20today.
Roth, Wolf-Michael. (2009). The gap between university and the workplace. University Science and Mathematics Education in Transition. pp.133-155.