Transformative Field Education Through Collaboration: A Case Study of Freirean Social Work Pedagogy

• In Event: Career Development in the Professions: Mentorship, Training, and Transformative Learning

Abstract

This case study examines a Freirean field education model that positions social work interns (N=24) as co-leaders in a middle-school mentoring initiative. Across three years of implementation to date, the initiative has challenged hierarchical supervision and banking-model pedagogies by centering critical consciousness, systems-thinking, and relational praxis. Students took primary responsibility for program iteration and evaluation, leading to external validation, paid consulting roles, and early professional advancement. Demand for placement far exceeded capacity, suggesting a student-driven desire for transformative learning experiences. Findings illustrate how field education can evolve from technical training into a liberatory space for professional identity development. The study contributes to pedagogical literature by demonstrating how participatory models can foster inclusive, student-centered learning environments.

Authors

• Kendra Alexander, North Carolina A&T State University

• Jeneya McLean, North Carolina A&T State University

• Anthony Freeman, Guilford County School System

• Torree Theodore, North Carolina A&T State University

• Alyssa Najib, North Carolina A&T State University

• Kaiya Whitehurst, North Carolina A&T State University

• Jada Richardson, North Carolina A&T State University