Complexities in the Classroom: Engaging Teacher Candidates in Purposeful Practice
An important data point in educator preparation is the extent to which teacher candidates feel confident, efficacious, and/or ready to effectively work with diverse learners and address challenging situations within the classroom. This workshop focuses on vignettes and the use of Mixed Reality Simulation (MRS) as a tool to provide teacher candidates opportunities for purposeful practice addressing complexities in the classroom. A panel of faculty members that have used these vignettes within their coursework will share their own experiences and discuss bridges and barriers to this innovative approach.
Speakers
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Dr. Aimee CribbsAssistant Professor of Education at Dalton State CollegeAimee Cribbs is an Assistant Professor of Education at Dalton State College and works with Early Childhood Education majors in the first semester of the teacher preparation program. She is a DSC Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Fellow. She holds an EdD in Teacher Leadership and an EdS in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont University. She has an MEd in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University and a BA in English from Emory University. Aimee has over 25 years of experience in education, including 20 years as an elementary educator. She has taught in both diverse urban and homogeneous rural settings, which prompted her interest in best practices in diversity training. Her current research focuses on using mixed reality simulation with teacher candidates.
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Dr. Rasha ElSaheli-ElhageChicago State UniversityRasha ElSaheli-Elhage holds a Ph.D. from Wayne State University in Educational Evaluation and Research, an M.A. in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University, and a B.A. in Special Education from Saint Joseph University (International). For over 16 years, she was a special education teacher, 11 of which were in Michigan public schools including the cities of Detroit and Dearborn. She also worked as a consultant on School Reform and International Assessment for private and public schools and ministries in the Middle East. Her research interest focuses on increasing employability and independence of young adults with special needs and improving their quality of life. Recently, she has developed an interest in online teaching and learning, especially after the unprecedented switch to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
