Practicum-Equity & Change

Catalog description

The primary goal of this practicum is for students to engage in a cycle of inquiry around equity in their own teaching practice. Working with their advisor, students will identify an “equity issue” in their classroom or school setting and then engage in a cycle of inquiry around this equity issue. The cycle of inquiry will include identifying the issue and the student or students affected, gathering information on how this issue might be addressed, trying a change in their practice to help address this issue, and keeping track of what happens when they make this change. Advisors will assist students with the development of this cycle of inquiry related to their project. Ideally, the equity issue should be some aspect of their work over which they have real control. Working within their own classroom or program, students have oversight/control for what happens. Critiquing their own teaching is not easy, but essential in order to equitably distribute “necessary opportunities to learn and thrive.” It’s important that the project focus on a change in THEIR behavior and practice. This change may have an impact on their students, which is what they are hoping to see, but the focus should be on what they can do that makes a difference. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to do this practicum work in the context of whatever natural professional learning communities already exist in their school or district.