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Research by Laurie Hansen, Ph.D. student in Language, Literacy, and Technology, to be presented at AERA and published in Urban Education (November 2008)
UCI Ph.D. in Education student Laurie Hansen and California State
University Professor Evelyn Weisman will be presenting findings from
their study of a group of ten Latino/a pre-service teachers who were
student teaching in urban and suburban schools. Participants in the
study were bilingual in Spanish and English and enrolled in a multiple
subject credential program with a bilingual-bicultural emphasis (BCLAD:
Bilingual Cross Cultural Language and Academic Development). The study
employed interviews to explore the pre-service teachers' experiences with
schooling and their observations while student teaching. Findings reveal
that participants' life experiences and unique responses to cultural
conflicts influenced their ability to relate to Latino students and parents
and their desires to teach in Latino communities. However, participants
demonstrated minimal recognition of forces that contribute to inequity, and
none expressed the need to challenge traditional practices. Findings support
the need for professional development programs for teachers of color to
incorporate ongoing critical reflection of life experiences to promote
political consciousness.
"Student Teaching in Urban and Suburban Schools: Perspective of Latino
Preservice Teachers" will be published in the November 2008 issue of
Urban Education.
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