Addressing Difference, Social Justice, and Hate in Teacher Preparation to Combat Anti-Semitism

• In Event: Critical Perspectives in Teacher Education: Wrestling With Controversy, Opposition, and Indifference

Abstract

The majority of teacher preparation programs (TPPs) claim to address diversity and equity to some degree. However, TPPs do not necessarily also address hate and antisemitism, despite the increase in hate crimes toward minoritized groups in general, and toward Jews in the United States in particular. This paper draws upon interview and document data to examine ways in which TPPs and teacher educators address difference, social justice, and hate in relation to Jewish communities and anitsemitism in K-12 education, higher education, and the larger society. This paper also examines reasons why some teacher educators still do not consider addressing antisemitism to be an important part of their equity-oriented work.

Authors

• Laura Vernikoff, Touro College

• Jenna Kamrass Morvay, Miami University - Oxford

• Joni Kolman, California State University, San Marcos