The Multidimensionality of Care

Why are so many students unhappy in school? A plethora of research documents the disconnect students experience in school - a disconnect portrayed in movies, television shows, and even cartoons. For example, the beloved Calvin from Bill Watterson s cartoon series, Calvin and Hobbs, exemplifies how many children feel about school. His teacher does not understand him, he often gets in trouble, and much of the school work is irrelevant to him. School, for Calvin and I argue, for many students, is not a safe place where he can flourish and learn. In Calvin s vivid imagination, his teacher is a monster who does not care about him. Extant literature on care suggests that students perform better academically if they believe their teachers care about them. However, lacking from this literature is an understanding of factors that influence teacher s perceptions of care and an awareness of how perceptions may vary by ethnicity, prior experience, and socioeconomic status. This text examines perceptions of care held by Black and White preservice teachers. Findings suggest that preservice teachers in this study hold complex and multidimensional views of care.

Autorentext

Marquita Jackson-Minot, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Education at Agnes Scott College. Her major research interest is the influence of remembered teachers on teacher praxis. Marquita's other research interests include notions of care, culturally responsive pedagogy and reflective practice.