A Case Study of Canadian Teacher Education Practices to Support Refugee Integration

• In Event: 43.030 - Opening the Doors: Creating Welcoming Spaces for Immigrant and Refugee Youth

Abstract

Given Canadian educator’s success in educating newcomer youth, teacher educators in the U.S. should pursue opportunities to learn from Canadian teacher educators about effective practices. This study examines the practices used by the Faculty of Education at a Canadian University in an increasingly diverse city in Western Canada to prepare teachers to support refugee youth. The findings show that 1) faculty strategically infuse content and skills throughout courses and field components, 2) there is widespread commitment to equity across the faculty, and 3) the faculty recognize the need to strengthen structural understanding of refugee systems and processes. This is important since successful refugee integration engenders reciprocal benefits for communities as well as refugees.

Authors

• Barri E. Tinkler, Missouri State University

• Alan Scott Tinkler, Missouri State University

• Roswita Dressler, University of Calgary