Multicultural Teaching Models to Educate Pre-Service Teachers: Reflections, Service-Learning, and Mentoring

Abstract

The population of pre-service teachers entering university education programs is becoming more diverse. University education departments have the responsibility to understand and prepare current pre-service teachers, especially regarding multicultural education. The purpose of this paper is to understand the different dynamics of white pre-service teachers and pre-service teachers of color who are entering education departments. It has been found that pre-service teachers have a fear and are silenced during discussions of race. Therefore, university programs and professors have the challenge of opening communication within his/her courses in order to prepare teachers who can have critical multicultural discussions with his/her students. The current trends of preparing pre-service teachers to understand his/her own background and viewpoints include reflecting, service-learning, and mentoring.