Intersectional Justice: Rethinking Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Teaching and Teacher Education

Faculty: Ayesha Rabadi-Raol

Early Childhood Studies

College of Education, Counseling, and Ethnic Studies

This presentation explores the critical pedagogical practices that language and multilingual teacher educators can employ using an intersectional lens to inspire current and future language teachers to promote intersectional justice in early childhood literacy practices. By outlining the principles of intersectionality, this presentation highlights its significance in addressing questions of equity and diversity, specifically focusing on racialized immigrant identity. Furthermore, this presentation emphasizes the importance of understanding positionality as a Nepantlera or Border Crosser to effectively investigate the intersections of race, gender, language, and ethnicity in education. Recognizing the interconnections of these factors, this study argues for the inclusion of intersectionality in curriculum development and instruction.