This study aimed to understand preservice teachers' perceptions of culturally responsive teaching within a teacher preparation program, guided by Geneva Gay's Culturally Responsive Teaching Framework. The research questions examined the extent of preservice teachers' knowledge of cultural diversity, their ability to validate the cultural…

To successfully create inclusive environments that address the unique needs of each student, teacher candidates must adopt their students' perspectives. Radical imagination is essential for empathy, as it enables individuals to recognize diverse viewpoints (Greene, 1995). Arts-based methods provide a means for teacher candidates to practice…

Positive classroom climates set a foundation for equitable educational opportunities and, ultimately, social change (Whipp, 2013). This multi-modal two-phase study examined teacher candidate orientation of knowledge authority in creating a classroom environment marked by respectful relationships and genuine rapport at differing thresholds of field…

Ever since the emergence of gifted education in the United States in the beginning of the twentieth century, the concept of giftedness has been used to marginalize, segregate, and exclude students of particular backgrounds from specialized academic programs. Among the factors that contribute to unequal access to gifted education for ethnically,…

Teacher education programs aim to prepare teachers by building repertoires of knowledge and skills, mindsets, attitudes, and beliefs to develop dispositions necessary to succeed in a teaching career. As teachers prepare to meet the needs of increasingly diverse student populations, they need to attend to diversity issues and challenges and develop…

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore how pre-service elementary teachers in a college program describe their academic and emotional experiences that influence collaboration in an inclusive classroom setting in a Northeastern Region of the United States. Collaborative practices to support students in inclusive setting have become an…

How might teacher educators build a reflective and supportive community of practice with pre-service teachers? How might a visual (intermedia) journaling practice support critical and reflective thinking? How might an arts-based intermedia approach to analysis inform teacher educator pedagogical methods? These questions evolved and emerged…

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine a theoretical framework and praxis for a cosmopolitan approach to literacy in a university children's literature course for undergraduate preservice teachers. This approach to literacy entails a reflexive consideration of personal convictions and an openness to learning from the perspectives of…

The culminating experience of the student teaching internship provides the preservice teacher (PST) a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practice. It is a time to develop critical thinking skills, pedagogy and practical knowledge learned from their courses (Rhoads et al., 2013; Turvey & Hayler, 2017). A quality internship…

Pennsylvania's implementation of the Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education (CR-SE) Program Framework Guidelines aimed at eliminating the barriers which prohibit student achievement. These competencies are required to be a part of the preservice teacher training as well as induction programs and continued professional development for…

Limited research exists on the factors that contribute to community college students' development of self-efficacy (SE) while serving as preservice teachers (PSTs) during their early childhood education (ECE) practicum. This lack of research is concerning because educators who have high SE enhance the educational well-being of all children. The…

This qualitative case study investigates the ways stakeholders in a senior/seminar teaching practicum construct and engage in reflection. It also explores the ways these modes of reflection intersect with pre-service dance teachers' development of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and critical consciousness (CC). Specifically, the study…

Modern classrooms are increasingly diverse. Students vary in their academic abilities, personal interests, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and previous experiences (Allen et al., 2013). To meet the varied needs of students, educators must adapt their instruction so all are able to find success. Modifying lesson plans and changing instruction…

Drawing from queer perspectives, critical and abolitionist teaching and practices, and somatic embodiment, my dissertation calls attention to historically embedded practices of the invisible and every practice of the lived experience. My dissertation explores the development and rendering of learning design encompassing cognition and intellect as…

The purpose of this study was to investigate what specific experiences and activities teacher education program graduates attributed to developing perspective transformation regarding culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP). The study examined the perceptions of Oregon TSPC approved teacher education program graduates from 2020-2023 across four…