Cultivating a Pedagogy of Compassion in Teacher Education: Implications for Social Justice

• In Event: 29.082 - Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: 29.082-11 - Spirituality and Education SIG Roundtable Sessions

Abstract

In this paper we explore the challenges in preparing teacher candidates for a diverse world and what it has meant to cultivate a pedagogy of compassion as a means for supporting them toward developing critical consciousness and culturally and linguistically responsive practices. In doing so, we give special attention to the critical work of cultivating compassion as a way of being within our lives and stances as teacher educators. In exploring our pedagogy, we draw upon the work of Buddhist and contemplative scholars and thinkers as well as our own experiences in preparing teachers to work in culturally responsive and socially just ways.

Authors

• Barbara J. Dray, Transforming Practices in Education, LLC

• Barbara Seidl, University of Colorado - Denver