Women Educators and Political Engagement: A Case Study of Texans for Public Education (T4PE)

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Navigating Institutional Contexts

Abstract

This qualitative case study identifies and analyzes Texas female public school educators’ (both in-service and retired) definitions of, perceptions of, and motivations for political engagement. Specifically, the study examines how female public school educators’ membership in a relatively new grassroots group, Texans for Public Education (T4PE), has influenced and impacted their careers and personal lives. Data sources include the researchers’ participant observation in the Facebook group for approximately 15 months, a questionnaire of T4PE members, and semi-structured interviews with female T4PE educators (selected through purposeful sampling). Findings from this study will be important both for in-service educators, as well as for educator preparation programs which are seeking to prepare future teachers to advocate for their students and for the profession.

Authors

• Heather K. Olson Beal, Stephen F. Austin State University

• Amber Wagnon, Stephen F. Austin State University