Twitch Zoomers as Early Career Educators: How the COVID-19 Generation Perceives Their Unique Teaching Strengths

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 7:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Moments That Matter: Teacher Identities Across Generations

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools and teachers to innovate and evolve in response to pressing student academic and social needs (Darling-Hammond & Hyler, 2020; Ellis et al., 2020). In this qualitative study we asked: How do early-career teachers perceive their preparation during the COVID-19 pandemic as it impacts their first years in the classroom? We hoped to uncover new possibilities for teacher education programs. Through interviews, seven teacher participants from two private US West Coast universities shared experiences with their unconventional preparation. Although there were costs to some critical aspects of teaching, these educators demonstrated the value of patience, grace, creativity, collaboration, attention to social-emotional learning and flexibility.This study includes recommendations for teacher education programs.

Authors

• Amy L. Ardell, Mount Saint Mary's University

• Nancy T. Walker, University of La Verne

• Margaret Sauceda Curwen, Chapman University

• Laurie MacGillivray, University of Memphis