Talking About Race and Social Justice in Rural and Urban Teacher Education Programs

• In Event: Roundtable Session 95
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Discourse on Issues of Race and Ethnicity in Rural and Urban Programs

Abstract

Due to the increasing populations of minority students in public schools, which claim 80% White, female teachers, it is incumbent upon teacher educators to prepare pre-service teachers (PTs) to work with diverse populations. This qualitative study examines the responses of PTs from programs in two different locations--one urban and one rural—to materials and discussions that center race and social justice. Data collection included written reflections to activities and texts, which were analyzed for themes. Results indicate that there are differences in the attitudes and dispositions between the two populations of PTs. Implications for teacher educators will be discussed.

Authors

• Marga Madhuri, University of La Verne

• Keonghee Tao Han, University of Wyoming