Cited by 12Mathematics Education and Teaching TechniquesTeacher Education and Leadership StudiesCritical Race Theory in Education

The Role of Insights in Becoming a Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teacher

Open access
Nolan, Kathleen T., Xenofontos, Constantinos·2023·Education Sciences

Abstract

This paper extends earlier research on prospective and practicing teachers’ (PPTs’) developing understandings of culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) while enrolled in a teacher education course for CRP and mathematics. Here, we take as our starting point a framework we refer to as COFRI, which describes five integral components of PPTs’ perspectives on CRP: Challenges, Opportunities, Fears, Resistance, and Insights. Viewing PPTs’ reflective journal entries through the lens of this framework, we noticed interesting relationships between the five components that had not been evident in our initial analysis. Specifically, we observed that, as we coded participants’ reflections according to C, O, F, R, and I, each I (insight) appeared to be related to one (or more) of the other components in quite different ways. Additionally, careful study of the insights expressed by PPTs lead to our categorization of insights according to one of three types: mathematical, pedagogical, or ideological. As a result, this paper offers a new way to interpret the five components, specifically their relationships to new insights into CRP and the corresponding types of insights that PPTs produce over the course of one semester. In closing, this paper discusses implications for mathematics teacher educators in understanding and processing PPTs’ evolving understandings of CRP.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/educsci13101028

Cites

1 of 1 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) is an approach toward equitable and socially just mathematics teaching.

    “When defining culture as dynamic and nested, Nolan and Xenofontos (2023) maintain that culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) is an approach toward equitable and socially just mathematics teaching.”

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 47

  1. Greer, B.; Mukhopadhyay, S.; Powell, A.B.; Nelson-Barber, S. Culturally Responsive Mathematics Education; Routledge: London, UK, 2009.
  2. Nolan, K.; Keazer, L.M. Developing as culturally responsive mathematics teacher educators: Reviewing and framing perspectives in the research. Int. J. Humanit. Soc. Sci. Educ. 2021, 8, 151-163. [CrossRef] · DOI
  3. Alexander, R. Culture and Pedagogy: International Comparisons in Primary Education; Wiley-Blackwell: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2001.
  4. Stephens, D. Culture in Education and Development Principles, Practice and Policy; Symposium Books: Providence, RI, USA, 2007.
  5. Hofstede, G. The cultural relativity of organizational practices and theories. J. Int. Bus. Stud. 1983, 14, 75-89. [CrossRef] · DOI
  6. Erez, M.; Gati, E. A dynamic, multi-level model of culture: From the micro level of the individual to the macro level of a global culture. Appl. Psychol. 2004, 53, 583-598. [CrossRef] · DOI
  7. Nolan, K. Conceptualising a methodology for reframing mathematics/teacher education through a new (disruptive) form of culturally responsive pedagogy. In Methodological Approaches to STEM Education Research; White, P., Tytler, R., Cripps, J., Ferguson, J., Eds.; Cambridge Scholars Publishing: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, 2020; pp. 133-153.
  8. Young, E. Challenges to conceptualizing and actualizing culturally relevant pedagogy: How viable is the theory in classroom practice? J. Teach. Educ. 2010, 61, 248-260. [CrossRef] · DOI
  9. Nolan, K.; Xenofontos, C. Mapping perspectives on culturally responsive pedagogy in mathematics teacher education: From academic achievement to insights and opportunities. in press.
  10. Ladson-Billings, G. Toward a theory of culturally relevant pedagogy. Am. Educ. Res. J. 1995, 32, 465-491. [CrossRef] · DOI · Paper page
  11. Ladson-Billings, G. Culturally relevant pedagogy 2.0: Aka the remix. Harv. Educ. Rev. 2014, 84, 74-84. Available online: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.17763/haer.84.1.p2rj131485484751 (accessed on 28 September 2023). [CrossRef] · DOI
  12. Nolan, K.; Xenofontos, C. On becoming a culturally responsive teacher of mathematics. J. Math. Cult. 2023, 17, 308-324.
  13. Gay, G. Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice, 3rd ed.; Teachers College Press: New York, NY, USA, 2018.
  14. Skovsmose, O. Critical Mathematics Education; Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2023.
  15. Bartell, T.G. Learning to teach mathematics for social justice: Negotiating social justice and mathematical goals. J. Res. Math. Educ. 2013, 44, 129-163. [CrossRef] · DOI
  16. Gutstein, E.R. "Our issues, our people-Math as our weapon": Critical mathematics in a Chicago neighborhood high school. J. Res. Math. Educ. 2016, 47, 454-504. [CrossRef] · DOI
  17. Nolan, K.; Lunney Borden, L. It's all a matter of perspective. Learn. Math. 2023, 43, 8-14.
  18. Castro, A.J. Themes in the research on preservice teachers' views of cultural diversity: Implications for researching millennial preservice teachers. Educ. Res. 2010, 39, 198-210. [CrossRef] · DOI
  19. Kokka, K. Social justice pedagogy for whom? Developing privileged students' critical mathematics consciousness. Urban Rev. 2020, 52, 778-803. [CrossRef] · DOI
  20. Rychly, L.; Graves, E. Teacher characteristics for culturally responsive pedagogy. Multicult. Perspect. 2012, 14, 44-49. [CrossRef] · DOI · Paper page
  21. Brown-Jeffy, S.; Cooper, J.E. Toward a conceptual framework of culturally relevant pedagogy: An overview of the conceptual and theoretical literature. Teach. Educ. Q. 2011, 38, 65-84. Available online: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ914924.pdf (accessed on 28 September 2023).
  22. Mark, S.; Id-Deen, L.; Thomas, S. Getting to the root of the matter: Pre-service teachers' experiences and positionalities with learning to teach in culturally diverse contexts. Cult. Stud. Sci. Educ. 2020, 15, 453-483. [CrossRef] · DOI
  23. Harding-DeKam, J.L. Defining culturally responsive teaching: The case of mathematics. Cogent Education 2014, 1, 972676. [CrossRef] · DOI
  24. Kelley, T.L. Examining pre-service elementary mathematics teacher perceptions of parent engagement through a funds of knowledge lens. Teach. Teach. Educ. 2020, 91, 103057. [CrossRef] · DOI
  25. Morrison, S.A.; Brown Thompson, C.; Glazier, J. Culturally responsive teacher education: Do we practice what we preach? Teach. Teach. Theory Pract. 2022, 28, 26-50. [CrossRef] · DOI
  26. Ukpokodu, O.N. How do I teach mathematics in a culturally responsive way? Identifying empowering teaching practices. Multicult. Educ. 2011, 19, 47-56.
  27. Gallivan, H.R. Supporting prospective middle school teachers' learning to revise a high-level mathematics task to be culturally relevant. Math. Teach. Educ. 2017, 5, 94-121. [CrossRef] · DOI
  28. Keazer, L.; Nolan, K. Growing culturally responsive pedagogies. Math. Teach. Learn. Teach. PK-12 2023, 116, 463-466. [CrossRef] · DOI
  29. Suazo-Flores, E.; Kastberg, S.E.; Grant, M.; Chapman, O. Commentary on thematic special issue: Seeing self-based methodology through a philosophical lens. Philos. Math. Educ. J. 2023, 40, 1-14. Available online: https://education.exeter.ac.uk/research/ centres/stem/publications/pmej/pome40/index.html (accessed on 12 August 2023).
  30. Montenegro, H. Teacher educators' conceptions of modeling: A phenomenographic study. Teach. Teach. Educ. 2020, 94, 103097. [CrossRef] · DOI
  31. Nolan, K. Modelling culturally responsive pedagogy: Studying a mathematics teacher educator's practice. J. Math. Cult. 2023, 17, 215-232.
  32. Baker, C.K.; Edwards, K.C. Embedding photovoice to transform a mathematics specialist course assignment: A self-study on developing mathematics teacher educator anti-racist pedagogical praxis. Philos. Math. Educ. J. 2023, 40, 1-23. Available online: https://education.exeter.ac.uk/research/centres/stem/publications/pmej/pome40/index.html (accessed on 12 August 2023).
  33. Campbell, M.P.; Elliott, R. Designing approximations of practice and conceptualising responsive and practice-focused secondary mathematics teacher education. Math. Teach. Educ. Dev. 2015, 17, 146-164.
  34. Livers, S.D.; Willey, C.J. Preparing preservice teachers to teach equitably: A longitudinal, collaborative interrogation of two mathematics teacher educators' positionalities. Stud. Teach. Educ. 2023, 1-25. [CrossRef] · DOI
  35. Sobel, D.M.; Gutierrez, C.; Zion, S.; Blanchett, W. Deepening culturally responsive understandings within a teacher preparation program: It's a process. Teach. Dev. 2011, 15, 435-452. [CrossRef] · DOI
  36. Willey, C.; Drake, C. Advocating for equitable mathematics education: Supporting novice teachers in navigating the sociopolitical context of schools. J. Urban Math. Educ. 2013, 6, 58-70. [CrossRef] · DOI
  37. O'Keeffe, L.; Paige, K.; Osborne, S. Getting started: Exploring pre-service teachers' confidence and knowledge of culturally responsive pedagogy in teaching mathematics and science. Asia-Pac. J. Teach. Educ. 2019, 47, 152-175. [CrossRef] · DOI
  38. Brody, D.L.; Hadar, L.L. Critical moments in the process of educational change: Understanding the dynamics of change among teacher educators. Eur. J. Teach. Educ. 2018, 41, 50-65. [CrossRef] · DOI
  39. Rahmawati, Y.; Taylor, P.C. Moments of critical realisation and appreciation: A transformative chemistry teacher reflects. Reflective Pract. 2015, 16, 31-42. [CrossRef] · DOI
  40. Yacek, D.W.; Gary, K. Transformative experience and epiphany in education. Theory Res. Educ. 2020, 18, 217-237. [CrossRef] · DOI
  41. Liljedahl, P.G. Mathematical discovery and affect: The effect of AHA! experiences on undergraduate mathematics students. Int. J. Math. Educ. Sci. Technol. 2005, 36, 219-234. [CrossRef] · DOI
  42. Pilcher, J. A modified Delphi study to define "Ah Ha" moments in education settings. Educ. Res. Q. 2015, 38, 51-67. Available online: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1061935 (accessed on 28 September 2023).
  43. Caniglia, J.C.; Borgerding, L.; Courtney, S. AHA moments of science and mathematics pre-service teachers. Clear. House J. Educ. Strateg. Issues Ideas 2017, 90, 53-59. [CrossRef] · DOI
  44. Nieto, S. Language, literacy, and culture: Aha! Moments in personal and sociopolitical understanding. In Leaders in Critical Pedagogy: Narratives for Understanding and Solidarity; Porfilio, B., Ford, D.R., Eds.; Brill: Leiden, The Netherlands, 2015; pp. 37-48.
  45. D'Ambrosio, U. Ethnomathematics and its place in the history and pedagogy of mathematics. Learn. Math. 1985, 5, 44-48.
  46. Loewenberg Ball, D.; Thames, M.H.; Phelps, G. Content Knowledge for Teaching: What Makes It Special? J. Teach. Educ. 2008, 59, 389-407. [CrossRef] · DOI · Paper page
  47. Rodríguez, S.; Regueiro, B.; Piñeiro, I.; Valle, A.; Sánchez, B.; Vieites, T.; Rodríguez-Llorente, C. Success in mathematics and academic wellbeing in primary-school students. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3796. [CrossRef · DOI

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Nolan, K. T., & Xenofontos, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Regina (CA)
  • OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University (NO)
Corresponding author
Nolan, Kathleen T.
Venue
Education Sciences
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2023-10-13
Volume
13
Issue
10
Pages
1028
ISSN
2227-7102 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4387603315
Cited by
12
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1
FWCI
5.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Education Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques
  • Social Sciences › Education › Teacher Education and Leadership Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Critical Race Theory in Education
Keywords
culturally responsive teaching, mathematics teacher education, pre-service teachers, teacher insight, reflective journals, teacher beliefs

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review