How Social Justice, Culture, Language, and Heritage Influence Cooperating Teachers in the Borderlands

• In Event: 35.081 - Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: 35.081-1 - Teacher Perceptions of Supporting the Needs of Diverse Learners

Abstract

This study explored the perceptions of cooperating teachers about the practicum in preparing preservice teachers to meet the needs of English language learners in the Borderlands. The aim of this ethnographic research was to give voice to a group of cooperating teachers, using qualitative methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, focused on understanding how the participating teachers understood and assumed their role as cooperating teachers and their perceptions of the practicum. Four major themes emerged from the analysis (Political Factors: Advocates of Bilingual Education; Language: Hegemony of English; Influence of the Habitus: Better Life; and Biliteracy: Read and Write in Two Languages). It was concluded that all teachers need to be prepared to work with culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Authors

• Alicia V. Wheaton, Alfred State College - SUNY

• Amabilia Valverde Valenzuela, Texas Workforce Commission