As Catholic Schools Become More Diverse, How Should We Prepare New Catholic School Educators for Inclusive Schools? An Analysis of Research on University and Diocesan Teacher Training

Authors

Rebekka J. Jez, University of San DiegoFollow
Julie C. Cantillon, Diocese of San DiegoFollow
Lauren H. Ramers, University of San DiegoFollow
Melissa M. Burgess, University of San DiegoFollow

Abstract

Educators can improve academic and socio-emotional wellbeing of their students if they are equipped with strategies and skills to support learners and families from a variety of diverse backgrounds and experiences, such as culturally and linguistically diverse students, students with differing abilities, and those who may experience trauma and/or socio-economic challenges. To learn more about this topic a Catholic university and local diocese examined the literature on the impact of Catholic teachers in under-resourced schools, practices for training Catholic educators with skills to meet the needs of all learners, and the structures needed to ensure that diocesan and university supervisors are able to effectively support the development of new teachers. The synthesis of research is organized using the three pillars of the University Consortium of Catholic Education (UCCE): service through teaching, community connections, and spiritual development. The review resulted in the following recommendations: train teachers in culturally responsive practices, incentivize educator collaboration, train supervisors in inclusive practices with purposeful faith-based integration, and mentor principals in effective methods of coaching and supporting teachers.

DOI

10.15365/joce.2402052021

First Page

84

Last Page

103

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Jez, R. J., Cantillon, J. C., Ramers, L. H., & Burgess, M. M. (2021). As Catholic Schools Become More Diverse, How Should We Prepare New Catholic School Educators for Inclusive Schools? An Analysis of Research on University and Diocesan Teacher Training. Journal of Catholic Education. https://doi.org/10.15365/joce.2402052021