“You Would Think I Could Pull It Off Differently:” Insight Gleaned From a Teacher Educator Turned Classroom Teacher

Abstract

This paper reports on the question of what happens when someone who has become almost fully ingrained in the world of teacher education returns full-time to teach high school social studies. Using oral narrative methodology, findings describe the unanticipated challenges the participant encountered during his re-entry period to the classroom. The implications of this study suggest a need for increased attention to be placed on how teachers and teacher educators of mainstream cultures might best obtain the cultural sensitivity and practical experiences needed to engage diverse learners in meaningful learning.