Spiritual Warrior for Social Justice: Preparing Antiracist, Pro-Justice Teacher Educators

• In Event: Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Preparing Preservice Teachers to Be Social Justice Educators

Abstract

This paper is a chapter written for a forthcoming book that will present research on the work lives of activist scholars who teach for social justice in teacher education. In this qualitative study of six professors, one of the participants models how spirituality, self-reflection, and advocacy help her teach and lead for social justice. Her early pathway to activism began in high school and has been centered and grounded in her faith. She describes herself as a “Spirit-guided, Optimistic, Peace-filled, Vision-keeping Warrior” responsible for preparing the 21st Century teaching force to become anti-racist, pro-justice educators. This professor’s perspective is one model for faculty and colleagues-in-the-making who share in the struggle for equity and social justice in teacher education

Authors

• Susan J. Katz, Roosevelt University

• Diana F. Ryan