Preservice Teacher Education in the Time of Richard Spenser, Milo, and Pewdiepie

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Education in a Politically Explosive Era

Abstract

This theoretical qualitative paper, emerging from work and teaching conducted by the authors teaching pre-service teacher education multicultural education courses, sought to examine and compile a list of best practices concerning how to address an increase of ultra-conservative philosophies entering the classroom from radicalized white male students. These students, espousing the rhetoric of a number of ultra-conservative YouTube, Twitter, and political personalities, are combative in conversation when their worldview is challenged. This paper not only resulted in the creation of a dialog concerning this rise in ultra-conservative thought, but also the creation of best practices among multiple pre-service teacher educators on how to create and maintain safe, democratic spaces that work to challenge these divisive philosophies.

Authors

• Erik James Shaver, Ball State University

• Monica A. Medina, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis