Listen to the Teacher: Teacher Thoughts and Experiences Leading Ethnic Studies Classrooms

• In Event: Transformative Learning in the Humanities

Abstract

This study investigated the pedagogical practices and articulated goals for students and courses by Ethnic Studies teachers. My research will incorporate teacher perspective and experience into the growing body of research on Ethnic Studies. Rooted in the knowledge and expertise of current Ethnic Studies teachers across three school districts in California, my study focuses on the Ethnic Studies teacher, a lesser-studied but central element of Ethnic Studies instruction. The data suggests that Ethnic Studies teachers were implementing many of the hallmarks of Ethnic Studies defined by scholars even if they were not formally trained in Ethnic Studies. Teachers embodied these hallmarks as they navigated the cost and benefits of marginalization and had built their criticality prior to teaching ethnic studies.

Author

• Kimberly Young, Culver City High School