Centering the First Amendment in Elementary Teacher Preparation and Religious Discourse in the Classroom
Abstract
This session examines the dearth of dialogues in teacher preparation programs focused on religion, including religious diversity and prejudices, despite national trends towards equality and social justice. One teacher educator from the southeastern United States will describe their experiences in examining and working toward religious tolerance with preservice elementary teachers. The purpose of this session is to examine preservice elementary teacher understandings of freedom of religion as stated in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the Establishment Clause. Public school teacher understandings of roles as public school teachers and as government agents of the state will also be examined. The presenter will additionally share some approaches for teaching religious tolerance and engaging preservice elementary teachers in dialogues around religion and religious freedom.
Keywords
teacher preparation, elementary social studies education, social justice, religious discourse
Recommended Citation
Saylor, Elizabeth E., "Centering the First Amendment in Elementary Teacher Preparation and Religious Discourse in the Classroom" (2018). Georgia Educational Research Association Conference. 52.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gera/2018/2018/52
Centering the First Amendment in Elementary Teacher Preparation and Religious Discourse in the Classroom
This session examines the dearth of dialogues in teacher preparation programs focused on religion, including religious diversity and prejudices, despite national trends towards equality and social justice. One teacher educator from the southeastern United States will describe their experiences in examining and working toward religious tolerance with preservice elementary teachers. The purpose of this session is to examine preservice elementary teacher understandings of freedom of religion as stated in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the Establishment Clause. Public school teacher understandings of roles as public school teachers and as government agents of the state will also be examined. The presenter will additionally share some approaches for teaching religious tolerance and engaging preservice elementary teachers in dialogues around religion and religious freedom.
