Teaching for Social Justice: Asian American Teachers' Commitments to Students of Color

• In Event: 34.079 - Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 34.079-16 - Exploring Various Perspectives Within the Asian Pacific American Educational Experience

Abstract

Much of the literature on model minority discourse focuses on impacts of this stereotype on students. Though the Asian American teacher population is small, it is useful to consider how this stereotype also affects the work of Asian American teachers, their identities, and their pedagogy. This paper examines how two Southeast Asian American teachers envision teaching for social justice. Analyzing their narratives shows how the model minority stereotype produces moments of tension for Asian American educators. At the same time, an examination of these teachers' dedication to teaching and mentoring low-income students of color highlights how Asian American teachers work towards coalition building through disrupting the model minority stereotype and working to advance the education of all students of color.

Author

• Candace J Chow, University of Utah