Working Toward Antiracist Teacher Preparation: Clinical Experiences in Urban Schools

• In Event: Reframing and Applying Equitable Approaches to Learning Environments

Abstract

This study highlights teacher candidates’ (TCs) perspectives of clinical experiences in urban schools, and what specific aspects contributed to development of culturally relevant and sustaining pedagogies. Given the opportunity to complete clinical experiences in urban schools with equity-focused cooperating teachers, TCs were able to translate theory to practice and were more likely to develop culturally responsive and culturally sustaining pedagogies. Findings also revealed that it is time to emphasize anti-racist teaching practices that fully support students in urban communities. Despite strategic course structures focusing on equity mindsets, several participants walked away with a superficial understanding of culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies that was limited to making connections to students’ experiences and backgrounds, rather than moving toward anti-racist teaching.

Authors

• Arthi B. Rao, University of Illinois at Chicago
  Presenting Author

• Jennifer D. Olson, University of Illinois at Chicago
  Presenting Author