"'Bout That Teacher Preparation Life": Preparing White Preservice Teachers to Teach Students of Color

• In Event: Teachers and Students of Color: Race and Identities in K–12 and Higher Education

Abstract

Teacher preparation programs often use terms such as diversity, equity, or social justice in their mission statements. The terms are meant to suggest an inclusive approach but it’s often difficult to see how. As three Black faculty members working in predominantly white institutions (PWIs), we have pushed our teacher preparation programs to go beyond putting keywords in mission statements and provide ways to follow through so future teachers can enact the concepts in their classrooms. We use Self-Study in Teacher Education Practices (S-STEP) and Critical Race Theory (CRT) to make meaning of our own narratives. Also, we use the data from our narratives to discuss ways junior faculty can ensure white preservice teachers are better prepared for the field.

Authors

• Shamaine Bertrand, The College of New Jersey

• Kisha M Porcher, University of Delaware

• Tasha Austin, Rutgers University