Toward Justice for All: Approaches to Cut Through Preservice Teacher Resistance to Diversity and Multiculturalism

• In Event: 49.068 - Multicultural Multiethnic Education: Preparing Preservice Teachers

Abstract

This paper explores forms of rationalizations pre-service teacher candidates use to diminish social injustices, and examines the power teacher educators have to resist resistance. Given the challenges of teaching in the 21st century, particularly persistent achievement gaps between white and non-white peer groups, differences between teachers from dominant identity groups and students from minority identity groups, and budgetary challenges facing school districts that lead to larger class sizes and diminished supports for new teachers this session looks to explore how pre-service teacher resistance to social justice impacts the landscape of teacher preparation. This session delineates strategies implemented to move students beyond rationalizations – the power of resisting resistance, and explores the implications for both policy and practice when resistance is resisted.

Authors

• Kenneth James Fasching-Varner, Louisiana State University

• Shirley N. Mthethwa-Sommers, Nazareth College

• Christine Clark, University of Nevada - Las Vegas