Beginning Science and Mathematics Nablus high School Teachers' Interests and Perceptions of Effectiveness of Pre-Service Training Programs

This study was a scouting research aimed at identifying the interests and perceptions of beginning mathematics and science teachers towards high school stage in Nablus Governorate public secondary schools. The study specifically attempted to answer the following two questions:- What are the beginning mathematics and science teachers major interests? What are the beginning mathematics and science teachers ? perceptions pertaining to the efficacy of programs they have received before their university graduation? The subjects of the study consisted of ten subjects (5 science teachers and 5 math teachers) teachers teaching at high schools. All had less than two years of experience (beginners). The source of data collection for this study was the interview. The researcher used interview inventory (Patton, 1990). This inventory consisted of four major questions about the population of the study, a subjects' learning in the first year of teaching, their advice for new teachers and How they should be prepared during the preservice programs before working as teachers. The researcher made an inductive analysis of crossing cases on the basis of the study. It revealed that the beginning teachers' interests focused on in-class assignments, curriculum development, time management, classroom management and presentation of course materials. Pertaining to beginning teachers' perception of the course materials, it was found that some were specialized and some courses in teaching methodology were of limited value. There was a need for getting more experience in different fields. Becoming a teaching assistant, before The results pertinent to beginning teacher's interests: some 60% of the subjects expressed their interests in teaching courses not related to their major. About 10% of the respondents admitted that they like to be responsible for curriculum development. All subjects (100% ) showed an interest in good time management. 900/0 of the teachers involved expressed an interest in classroom management and (90%) expressed an interest in presenting the course material. Results pertinent to beginning teachers' perceptions of the pre-service program. It was found that 70% of the subjects agreed that the course contents were sometimes specialized. Some 60% of the subjects said that the teaching methodology courses had limited value. Moreover , some 60% of the participants in the study said that there as a necessity to increase experience in all fields. Finally, about 80% said there was a necessity for them to work as teaching assistants during the pre -service program.Of the study recommendations, new teachers should be assisted in adaptng with the new career and the surrounding environment. In addition, the researcher recommends that the efficacy of teaching methods be enhanced. There is also a need for holding seminars and study days and workshops to tackle the problems of education, methods of teaching in all disciplines and in each discipline separately. Finally, the researcher recommends that the science and mathematics textbook used in teacher-training institutions be in harmony with contents teacher training requirements.