Preparing Justice-Oriented Educators in Polarized Contexts: Cross-State Analysis of Teacher Educators as Street-Level Bureaucrats

• In Event: This is How We Do It: Educating Resilient Teacher Educators for Real World Teachers

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a cross-state analysis of justice-oriented teacher educators’ perspectives on practice. Applying a framework of Street-Level Bureaucracy, we examine the influence of policy contexts on thirty-two teacher educators’ perspectives, discretion, and practices of social justice through interviews and focus groups in California, Florida, Illinois, and Massachusetts. Findings highlight teacher educators' deep commitments to justice, despite policy pushback. The practices taken by the teacher educators highlight their agency and discretion as street-level bureaucrats in charge of implementing state policy in teacher preparation programs.

Authors

• Noa Rein, Boston College

• Emilie Mitescu Reagan, Claremont Graduate University

• Rachel Roegman, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Geying Zhang, Boston College