Research: “Peeling off the Mask”: Challenges and Supports for Enacting Critical Pedagogy in Student Teaching

In this article, we examine a teacher candidate’s beliefs, teaching practices, and challenges to and supports for critical pedagogy during student teaching at an urban middle school. We also consider whether involvement in an ELA methods course influenced the teacher candidate’s beliefs and/or teaching practices, particularly regarding writing. Through this inquiry, we identify ways to better support teacher candidates in learning and enacting critical pedagogy in English language arts.