Teachers' Recollections of Engaging Otherwise Disengaged Students

• In Event: 60.085 - Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: 60.085-1 - Division K Section 3 Poster Session 1

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify common themes among educators’ narratives of engaging otherwise disengaged students. We interviewed, using a semi-structured, open-ended format, eight educators regarding their recollections. We asked them to tell the story of a time when a student who was not typically engaged with a lesson became involved. We also asked them to describe a time when an experience with a student moved them. Participating educators conflated these two prompts, reporting that their experiences of engaging atypically engaged students were moving. Five other themes emerged across the data. These findings serve as a heuristic for supporting educators’ reflection on teaching, building relationships with challenging students, and engaging all students in class activities.

Authors

• Marianne Feller, Auburn University

• Carey E. Andrzejewski, Auburn University