Discovering Dispositions: Informing a Teacher Preparation Re-Form Project

• In Event: Preparing Teachers for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students

Abstract

Teacher preparation is no longer a series of courses designed to prepare teachers to address behavior, content, and learning styles. Teachers must be highly cognitive in their role and ready to respond critically to challenges that arise in their classrooms and communities. Within the context of working with diverse student populations, a teacher’s dispositions play a role in the actions they take in the classroom (Richardson, 2003). Dispositions are tendencies of individuals to act in a particular manner under particular circumstances, based on their beliefs (Villegas, 2007). A teacher’s dispositions towards English language learners (ELLs) influence their interactions with that student. How will teacher preparation programs identify and address the dispositions necessary to prepare educators to successfully work with ELLs?

Authors

• Sarah Saltmarsh, Arizona State University

• Melanie Baca, Arizona State University

• Stephanie Lund, Arizona State University - Tempe