A Quantitative Analysis of the Academic and Socioemotional Impact of Caring Teachers on Adolescents Whose Families Came to the United States for Political Reasons

• In Event: 33.078 - Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: 33.078-10 - Seeing Selves Through Others' Eyes: Politics and Identity Formation Among Immigrant Youth

Abstract

Over 11 million people are displaced outside of their home countries because of war or persecution (UNHCR, 2013). The U.S. has taken a growing responsibility in resettling these individuals, half of whom are children and adolescents. Limited research has assessed relationships between adolescents and their teachers within the ecocultural environment of schools. Grounded in ecocultural systems, caring, and social capital theories, this research explored a sample of adolescents (N=1,055) from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (CILS) to assess the impact of caring teachers on high school students whose families came to the United States for political reasons. When teachers were seen to possess caring qualities, these students had higher GPA, educational attainment, and self-esteem.

Authors

• Amy Lynn Pucino, Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)

• Claudia Lucia Galindo, University of Maryland - Baltimore County