Reimagining teacher educators: emotional geographies of mentor teacher identity development in urban teacher residency partnerships

Purpose This qualitative case study aims to examine the professional identity development of mentor teachers as school-based teacher educators in an urban teacher residency program. Specifically, the study explores how mentor teachers navigate their roles and relationships with pre-service teachers, focusing on the emotional geographies that shape their practices and identity formation as teacher educators. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing a qualitative case study design, this study focuses on three experienced mentor teachers within an urban teacher residency program. Data were collected through paired interviews, focus groups, vignettes, classroom observations and semi-structured individual interviews. Content analysis was used to explore how mentor teachers’ interactions and relationships with pre-service teachers influenced their professional identity development as school-based teacher educators. Findings The findings reveal that mentor teachers' professional identities evolve through complex relationships with pre-service teachers. The study identified three key themes: (1) building relationships grounded in shared social justice goals, (2) reenvisioning teaching and learning practices through collaborative proximity with residents and (3) navigating power dynamics in the classroom to share responsibilities and develop a deeper understanding of their dual roles as teachers and teacher educators. Research limitations/implications This study expands the discourse on teacher education by emphasizing the under-recognized role of school-based mentor teachers in bridging the gap between theory and practice and offers insights into the relational and emotional aspects of teacher identity formation. Originality/value This research contributes to the growing field of teacher education by highlighting the importance of mentor teachers in advancing teacher preparation within collaborative urban residency programs.