Designing Authentic Field-Based Experiences with Immigrant Students through One University and Urban School Partnership

Abstract

In an effort to create a meaningful clinical experience for undergraduate pre-service teachers, this chapter explores how authentic interactions with English Language Learners (ELLs) within university-school partnerships work to foster pre-service teachers' feelings of multicultural efficacy. Qualitative data were collected through reflective journals, case study projects, and archival data. Analysis of data from participants' reactions to the clinical experience suggests that multiple factors intersected to create a positive, authentic field experience for participants. Emergent themes included the impact of sociological mindfulness and the power of students' stories and lived experiences on shaping teacher beliefs. The data suggests that establishing a partner school with strong leadership that embraces diversity and supports ELLs and creating structured field experience in which participants engage in mentoring/tutoring relationships with ELLs is critical to this process. Implications for teacher educators and teacher education programs are discussed.