Dismantling Injustice Through Advocacy: Understanding Preservice Teachers' Concept of Advocacy for Diverse Youth

• In Event: Reflecting on Preservice Teachers' Journey for Justice

Abstract

The teacher workforce does not reflect increasing student diversity across the United States. Students from racially, ethnically, and economically diverse backgrounds have distinct needs that must be met in order to learn. A study was conducted with preservice teachers to determine how well their understandings align with the advocacy competency domains defined by the American Counseling Association. While preservice teachers in this sample demonstrated some understanding of the complexities of advocacy, there is a need for further work to be done in the field of teacher preparation.

Authors

• Tina Mitchell, Deleware State University

• Robert B. Marsteller, Delaware State University