Inclusive learning, agentic teaching: Preparing future teachers for transformative practice

Educational transformation is crucial for the development of agency in the 21st century. Fostering the personal and professional agency of future educators prepares them to meet challenges and inspire innovation. Agency, which involves self-determination and the ability to drive community change, is vital for lifelong development. In the context of English language acquisition, it emerged as a fundamental quality for future teachers in a Design-Based Research. Conducted in a public special education teacher training program during the 2023-2024 academic year, this study integrated Braille and Mexican Sign Language to support language learning. Although few pre-service teachers initially demonstrated strong agency, the study highlighted the importance of encouraging it in teacher training. Multimodality and inclusive practices enhance language development and strengthen confidence in managing diverse classrooms. These findings underscore that fostering agency is essential to preparing future educators to be adaptable teachers who can address diverse classroom needs and promote inclusion. The study calls for sustained efforts to boost agency throughout teacher preparation programs, ensuring educators are equipped to create equitable and accessible learning environments for all students.