Pathways into Teaching: Uncovering the Narratives of Beginning Teachers from a Hispanic Serving Institution

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 11:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Rooted and Rising: Latinx Educators Reimagining Belonging and Citizenship

Abstract

The decline in the number of candidates entering undergraduate teacher education over the last decade, combined with steady rates of teacher attrition, have contributed to recurrent teacher shortages across the country. States and school districts have addressed these workforce needs through a variety of strategies, including paid teacher residencies and support for “grow your own” pathways. Within this context, this study explores the reasons why teacher candidates – particularly those from Hispanic backgrounds – chose teaching as a profession. Through a sociocultural approach focused on teacher narratives, we uncovered the family, educational, and experiential influences on participants’ decisions to pursue the teaching profession. This study has implications for preparation programs seeking to develop targeted strategies to recruit teacher candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Authors

• Erika L. Mein, University of Texas - El Paso

• Angelica Monarrez, University of Texas - El Paso

• Jennifer Stefania Herrera Lozano, University of Texas - El Paso