Silencing Equity-Minded Teacher Preparation: How Do Teacher Educators Respond?

Abstract

This article describes how five teacher educators respond to silencing aimed at disrupting their equity-minded teacher preparation. Drawing on interview data, we illustrate the silencing these teacher educators experience, their patterns of response, and the drivers for their responses. Our findings suggest that these teacher educators’ race, personal experiences, and beliefs about preservice teacher learning, as well as the supports offered by colleagues, teacher candidates, and university administrators, shape their responses to silencing. We conclude by suggesting pathways of support for equity-minded teacher educators in this moment of silencing-as-policy.