Effective Instructional Supports for African American Teacher Candidates Pixita del Prado Hill Felicia Scott Buffalo State College Elementary Education & Reading

Overview of Session n Welcome & introductions n Context for the project n Research design n Preliminary findings n Preliminary suggestions n Open discussion

Context n The number of students of color in U.S. schools is becoming increasingly diverse yet the number of teachers of color is declining (Nieto, 2002). n Importance of diverse groups of teachers n Research has focused on preparing White teachers for diverse settings

At Buffalo State College n African American teacher candidates in Childhood Education n The role of methods courses in the preparation of teacher candidates

Research Questions n What instructional activities (course activities, assignments, readings, student-teacher interactions, student- student interactions, and field experiences) support African American undergraduates in their goal to become certified childhood teachers for urban settings? n What instructional supports are likely to help African American teacher candidates when they face challenges in the program?

Research Design n The researchers n The participants n Data collection 1. Interviews 2. Content analysis

Preliminary Findings n Isolation n Issues of respect n Addressing Standard English n Examining one’s own bias n Personal lives

Preliminary Suggestions n Mentoring n Explore the cultural differences related to what constitutes respect and authority n Discuss the politics related to Standard English and acknowledge the legitimacy of Black Vernacular as a language.

Preliminary Suggestions n Continue to use the common reflective assignment as a means to explore the role of difference in teachers’ lives. n The need to demonstrate a pedagogy of caring

Discussion Questions n What instructional practices might increase the recruitment and retention of African American teacher candidates? n What instructional practices might help African American teacher candidates when they face challenges.

Thank you for attending! Pixita del Prado Hill, Ed.D. Felicia Scott