It's Not Just Field Experience: Rural and Underserved Summer Service-Learning Experiences of Teacher Candidates

• In Event: Preparing Teachers to Work in Urban Settings

Abstract

To address the potential recruitment and preparation of new teachers into rural and underserved schools, one public university in the southeast sought to explore the influence of a summer service-learning experience for undergraduate teacher candidates. Through a shared service-learning internship, 18 undergraduate teacher candidates worked 10 weeks over the summer in immersion experiences with schools and agencies located in rural and underserved communities in the southeast. The interns designed immersion experiences from service needs provided by rural communities and implemented individual plans and produce products in a shared service community model. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis, this study provides insight to new teacher preparation as culturally responsive teachers in addition to identifying preferences for employment in rural and underserved communities.

Authors

• Nakeshia N Williams, North Carolina A&T State University

• Brian Williams, North Carolina A&T State University

• Nicole Dobbins, North Carolina A&T State University

• Kellee Watkins, North Carolina A&T State University

• Thurman Guy, North Carolina A&T State University