Unforgetting the Labor of Becoming: Reclaiming Histories and Futures of Adult Learners in Teacher Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 11:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: The Work of Becoming: Growth, Identity, and Professional Fulfillment in Education

Abstract

In response to persistent teacher shortages and the urgent need for more educators of color, this study centers adult learners, particularly women of color working in schools, as future-makers in education. Drawing on surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations within a grow your own (GYO) teacher certification program in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the research highlights systemic barriers and the transformative potential of these educators. Findings reveal challenges related to institutional deficit views, dual labor demands, and limited structural support, but also underscore participants’ resilience and visions for equity-centered teaching. The study advocates for a reimagining of teacher education that recognizes the leadership, labor, and community-rooted knowledge adult learners bring to the profession.

Author

• Laura A. Roy, La Salle University