Dissertation
The portrayal of caring teachers in children's literature: A content analysis
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
05/2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005926
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the portrayal of teachers featured in children's literature as an avenue for illuminating embedded messages relative to care in the context of teaching and learning. The study employed two analytical frameworks relational epistemology and critical literacy. The data set consisted of 38 children's books, specifically picture storybooks, transitional books, and children's novels. The books targeted for inclusion in the study were those that had: 1) an original publication date between 1998 and 2008, 2) an elementary school setting, 3) a teacher featured as a central character, and 4) a storyline that depicted a teacher teaching. There were three coding categories. The first was social identities specifically coding for teacher gender, race, ethnicity, and culture. The second was personal dispositions related to caring. The third coding category focused on the pedagogical practices and approaches of the teachers featured in children's literature. Overall, the results indicated that children's books published within the last ten years reflect a positive trend in the portrayal of teachers. The findings revealed several key points relative to the coding categories. Female characters continue to dominant the portrayal of elementary teachers featured in children's literature. The majority of the fictional teachers featured in the literary texts were portrayed as having a light skin tone. Finally, across the texts analyzed the portrayal of teachers reflect an absence of pedagogical approaches and practices that incorporate caring as conveyed in different cultures. With an over representation of White European-American females and an under representation of cultures beyond the dominant mainstream culture, the conclusion drawn was that the teachers featured in children's literature does not accurately reflect the reality of the teachers teaching in elementary schools today. As such, this study brought awareness to the narrow perception of teaching and teachers. In sum, the significance of this study was the awareness brought forth as to the positive trend in the portrayal of teachers yet a narrow perception of what it means to be a caring teacher.
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Details
- Title
- The portrayal of caring teachers in children's literature
- Creators
- Jane Ellen P. Brady
- Contributors
- Terrell A. Young (Chair)Jennifer M. Beller (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Department of Educational Leadership, Sport Studies, and Educational/Counseling PsychologyDarcy E Miller (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Department of Teaching and Learning
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- College of Education
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 248
- Identifiers
- 99901055135001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation