Democratizing Teacher Candidates' Preparation for Urban Settings: Action Research on the Urban Education Fellows Program

• In Event: 52.054 - Action Research and Teaching: Preservice and in Context

Abstract

We present findings from the second cycle of an action research project on the Urban Education Fellow (UEF) program, designed to prepare teacher candidates for urban schools. Programming for UEF was developed through the initial cycle of action research. In the second cycle, participants reported having learned how to define urban schools, strategies to connect with communities, ways to support students, and an awareness of urban school “issues.” They did not, however, feel connected to urban schools and communities they studied. We share how these findings will impact UEF programming for subsequent years and discuss action research as a method to ensure that program goals are being met and an important means for teacher candidates to shape their own development.

Authors

• Laura Bower-Phipps, Southern Connecticut State University

• Helen Marx, Southern Connecticut State University