1. Kristina DeWitt, Ph.D. Monica Huband, Ed.D.
Urban Education Changing Perceptions through Immersive Experiences Liberty University
Kristina DeWitt, Ph.D.
Monica Huband, Ed.D.

2. Research
Approximately 55% of novice teachers leave their urban school districts within five years
Teachers of disadvantaged students typically have less experience, produce smaller test score gains, and have the lowest licensure exam scores
Students are more successful when they work with experienced teachers

3. Experience Anger Frustration Jaded Checked out Depleted/Defeated
Finished
Depleted/Defeated
Checked out
Jaded
Frustration
Anger

4. Impact of High Teacher Turnover
Lower ELA and math scores
Disruption of routine
Loss of community
Loss of consistency

5. Fast Forward Lynchburg, Virginia Urban community 24% poverty rate
50% of schools denied accreditation
How we were preparing teacher candidates for the realities and challenges of teaching in urban schools?

6. Urban Education Club Book study Presentations Washington D.C.
Practicum
Interviews
Articles
Discussions
Journals
Service

7. Classroom Experiences
Observation and interaction
In Central Virginia and Washington D.C.
Purposeful training
Collaboration with teachers & schools
Deeper understand of urban education through positive dialogue

8. Impact on Students
“It gave me a new perspective. I saw students who came from broken families and my heart broke for them, so I wanted to stay.” “I thought I understood urban communities. Now I realize that I have a lot more to learn.” “I have learned to work better with those who are different from me in all aspects of life. I have learned the importance of a diverse classroom.”

9. Just Dig a Little Deeper

10. Call to Action What can educators do to initiate change?
How can providing immersive experiences for preservice or new teachers benefit their training/preparation?

11. References
Goldhaber, D., Walch, J. (2014). Goals in teacher quality. Education Next, 14(1), Papay, J., Bacher-Hicks, A., Page, L., & Marinell, W. (2017). The challenge of teacher retention in urban schools: Evidence of variation from a cross-site analysis. (JEL Classification: I21, J45). Retrieved from SSRN: Ronfeldt, M., Loeb, S., Wyckoff, J. (2013). How teacher turnover harms student achievement. American Educational Research Journal, 50(1), 4-36.

12. Contact Information
Dr. DeWitt,
Dr. Huband
Thank You!