Abstract

BIPOC special educators are a needed profession throughout the country. The listener's guide was used to determine how 30 BIPOC special educators identified themselves in application essays to a special education teacher program. The essays were then used to determine common themes in BIPOC students' decision to become a special educator. These common themes were found throughout specific moments of someone's life. These moments are referred to as plotlines. These plotlines were broken down into categories: prior to elementary school, elementary school, junior high/middle school, high school, and post high school. It was found that during the elementary school plotline, many participants described having a sibling with a disability seemed to contribute to their decision to become special educators. Implications for practice, implications for research, and limitations are discussed.

Degree

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Counseling Psychology and Special Education

Rights

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