Preparing Culturally Informed Educators: Examining Complexities in Practice

Preparing Culturally Informed Educators: Examining Complexities in Practice aims to prepare mainstream educators to work effectively with diverse learners. Though not an exhaustive review of what is required for mastery of culturally informed instruction, this approach does equip educators with content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and professional dispositions necessary to provide diverse learners with equitable educational opportunities. Chapters explore theoretical foundations and challenges of culturally informed pedagogy, culturally informed reading education for English learners (EL) and all learners, and implications of recent neurological research.

Susan Foster Ph.D., is an associate professor of elementary education in the School of Education, Health, and Human Behavior at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where she teaches courses in literacy, differentiated instruction, and second language acquisition and learning. Before coming to SIUE, Dr. Foster supervised the America Reads Challenge literacy program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and taught elementary and middle school in Springfield, Illinois.

Dr. Barbara Martin is an assistant professor of teaching and learning in the School of Education, Health, and Human Behavior at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Dr. Martin teaches courses in teacher preparation and conducts research in technology integration, math methods and STEM related fields.