Exerting Power Through Language: An Examination of Two Preservice Educators' Discourse

• In Event: 56.080 - Roundtable Session 23
  In Roundtable Session: 56.080-5 - Developing Meaningful Opportunities for Preservice Multicultural Awareness

Abstract

Preservice educators have experiences that span two worlds--that of a student and that of an educator--and their perceptions of teaching can impact their understanding of pedagogy and practice. In light of research of teaching and power, as well as studies of preservice educators’ experiences and perceptions, this paper focuses on the ways two preservice educators perceived and explained the pedagogical practices they observed. More specifically, a critical discourse analysis revealed how statements of authority and hierarchy were imbued in preservice educator writing, thereby calling attention to issues of power that may be evident before future teachers enter the classroom.

Authors

• Nancy P. Morabito, St. John's University

• Sandra Schamroth Abrams, Saint John's University