Preparing Urban Teachers: What Sticks

• In Event: Poster Session 17
  In Poster Session: Research on Preservice Teacher Education for Diverse Urban K-12 Settings

Abstract

In response to the often-reported failure of urban schools, many universities have established urban-focused teacher preparation programs. Some of these programs include focused coursework, service learning experiences, and workshops on urban teaching. However, which of these experiences the program participants value is unknown. We focused on an urban teacher preparation program located in a large Midwestern university to research what experiences were cited by the participants after they completed the urban preparation portion of their teacher education program. Additionally, we explored how students connect different parts of their program to their current understanding of urban education. We found that participants cited service learning, school visits, and course readings as supporting their understanding of key issues related to urban education.

Authors

• John R. Walcott, Calvin College

• Lorena Gutierrez, Michigan State University

• Theda Gibbs, Michigan State University

• Rebecca Jane Jacobsen, Michigan State University