The Community as a Teacher Educator: Preparing Critically Conscious Social Studies Teacher Candidates in Detroit

• In Event: 35.078 - MTCC Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 35.078-1 - Community-Based Field Experiences That Build Preservice Teachers' Critical Consciousness

Abstract

This paper explores the use of culturally sustaining and place-based pedagogies within teacher preparation programs, which can foster the interest of potential educators to teach in similar ways. Additionally, this paper examines the process of teacher candidates becoming critically conscious educators due to community-based learning experiences. Purposefully, this paper analyzes the experiences of two teacher candidates as they apply course experiences from an advanced-level PK-8 social studies methods course within their clinical field placements. Specifically, this paper utilizes a critical qualitative research project to better understand the process of teacher candidates developing a transformative social studies praxis. Importantly, this paper discusses how teacher preparation programs can best support teacher candidates in fostering learning environments rooted in social justice.

Author

• Kaitlin Elizabeth Popielarz, Wayne State University