SEEING BEYOND THE PLEXIGLASS: Enacting a Vision of Caring During COVID

ABSTRACT

This chapter examines teacher candidates’ visions and enactments of care while student teaching during COVID-19. The authors draw from a qualitative study examining early childhood and elementary teacher candidates’ understandings of care, enacted ways of caring, and barriers to that enactment. Data from the study indicate that building relationships with students is an important aspect of teacher candidates’ vision for teaching, yet something with which they struggled due to social distancing and safety protocols during the pandemic. The authors examine the barriers the teacher candidates encountered and the strategies they relied on to show care for their students despite these barriers. The authors conclude with suggestions for ways in which teacher educators can support teacher candidates as they negotiate new classroom norms related to care and safety. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Melanie Shoffner and Angela W. Webb;individual chapters, the contributors.