How Teachers Can Bridge the Trust Gap for Racially Stigmatized Youth

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 3:35 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Civic Learning and Culturally Responsive Practices (Table 3)

Abstract

This study explores the role of building relationships and trust between racially stigmatized youth and teachers in student voice practices (SVPs), ultimately promoting democratic values in educational environments. Focusing on four schools within one district (n = 1,751; grades 6-12; 49.1% female; 66.5% Hispanic; 51.5% low SES), we used a mixed-method approach to examine whether racially stigmatized students have greater hesitancy to build relationships with teachers. Findings show that students’ lack of buy-in and trust negatively impacts the sustainability and growth of SVPs, and affirm the importance of relationships as precursors to SVP formation, highlighting the need for teachers to build trust through care and respect.

Authors

• Dana L. Mitra, Pennsylvania State University

• Ghadir Al Saghir, Pennsylvania State University

• Ashley Boat, Search Institute

• Jerusha O. Conner, Villanova University

• Samantha E. Holquist, Child Trends