Asset-Oriented Teacher Education: Toward Needed Transformations

• In Event: Toward Justice: Centering Identities, Positionalities, and Community Knowledges in Teacher Educators' Work and Learning

Abstract

In this paper, we contend that given the challenging political times we currently face and the increases in discrimination and violence they have ushered in, it is more crucial than ever to transform teacher education. We argue that this transformation must privilege the development of asset-oriented teachers who reject the pathology of deficiency so pervasive in teacher education and instead recognize and leverage the knowledges and resources for learning that all students bring to school. Departing from the focus on what teacher education programs teach teachers to do to support the development of asset-oriented teachers, we offer design principles for reinvigorating the profession. Our proposed principles build on the work of the Teacher Education Exchange in the U.K.

Authors

• Mariana Souto-Manning, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Jamy Stillman, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Viv Ellis, King's College London