Despertando el Ser : Transforming Latino Teachers’ Identities, Consciousness, and Beliefs

This collection of essays presents a theoretically grounded and research-based process in which the multiple facets of self are explored. While these facets have been studied in the literature using universal theories, Despertando el Ser posits that it is important to generate our own epistemological understandings grounded in the lived experience of Latina/o educators. Moving away from majoritarian perspectives of teacher personal development, using a sociocultural and critical theory kaleidoscopic lens, this book critically examines the notion of Latino teacher identities and other facets of self. Despertando el Ser theorizes that a Latino teacher’s identity is an intersection between the personal and professional selves consisting of ethnic/cultural identities, consciousness, beliefs, and motives for teaching. Presented in Despertando el Ser is an awakening of self as an ethnic/cultural being, exploring positionality and consciousness, and unearthing our beliefs about learning and teaching. Using varied methodologies, this book provides chapters in which the facets of self are uncovered and explored within diverse educational contexts. Each chapter provides questions to assist the reader to engage in critical reflection. This book can be used for teacher candidates, teachers in practice, teacher educators, and researchers.