Educators for Diverse Classrooms: A Case Study Approach to Equity and Inclusion in Education

Given the constantly changing student demographics in our public schools, teacher educators are tasked with preparing teacher candidates with reflective and critical teaching insights for reaching the needs and identities of all of our students. The authors contend that teacher educators can use controversial case study narratives to help encourage reflective thought on the ethical decision-making teachers face in complicated and sensitive issues. Reflection can also help with practical insights on classroom management techniques, and development of problem-solving steps, that may need to be implemented. Outside of the classroom environment, these case studies provide an opportunity to reflect on professionalism and relational aspects of collaboration amongst colleagues. Thus, we wish to offer this short collection of 28 case studies for teacher educators. We will also include critical case study questions that follow the narrative, along with the additional resources such as two or three research-based articles that teacher educators can utilize to further support their teacher candidate students.

Manu Sharma is Assistant Professor of Education at Thompson Rivers University, Canada. She is co-editor, with Amanda Zbacnik, of Educators for Diverse Classrooms: A Case Study Approach to Equity and Inclusion in Education (2020).