Teacher Candidate Development of Sociocultural Consciousness While Teaching Abroad in Costa Rica

• In Event: 28.089 - MTCC Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: 28.089-1 - Field Experiences That Prepare Preservice Teachers for Crossing Intercultural Boundaries

Abstract

In an effort to facilitate the development of globally-minded, culturally responsive teacher candidates, the purpose of this study was to examine how a group of teacher candidates represented and re-storied their experiences while in international teaching field experience in Costa Rica. Specifically, this study looked into how this immersion experience influenced the development of sociocultural consciousness. Data collection included the use of visual methods through photographs taken regarding culture, focus groups, and reflections on teaching identity. Findings point to a more in-depth understanding of culture as well as concepts of culture connected to the current United States political climate. In addition, teacher candidates' challenged and reimagined aspects of their teaching identity.

Authors

• Jennifer Jacobs, University of South Florida

• Steven Haberlin, University of South Florida - Tampa