Innovative Communities: Embedding Special Education Faculty in Science Methods Courses

• In Event: 26.079 - Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: 26.079-2 - Discipline-Specific Innovations in Teacher Education

Abstract

There has been growing concern about U.S. underperformance in the STEM fields, as well as underrepresentation in STEM by diverse learners, women, and students with disabilities (SWDs). Thus, there is a need to cultivate teachers able and committed to successfully engaging diverse learners including SWDs in the sciences. This paper details an innovative collaboration in which special education faculty were embedded in science methods classes highlighting how this work lead to meaningful conversation about our own practice and how we demonstrate notions of diversity and inclusion as we go about the job of preparation teachers. The study emphasizes purposeful collaboration leading to significant change in positive attitudes toward inclusion and increased sense of self-efficacy in meeting the needs of SWDs.

Authors

• Patricia Alvarez McHatton, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

• Kate Zimmer, Kennesaw State University

• Jill Williams, Kennesaw State University