Developing accountability and responsibility: How teacher candidates experience and conceptualize community-based pedagogy in the social studies

ABSTRACT This study analyzes the use of community-based pedagogy in a social studies methods course to encourage teacher candidates to initiate similar practices in the classroom. Through a culturally sustaining framework, community-based pedagogy encourages teacher candidates to center the assets, knowledge, and experiences of students, families, and local communities in social studies education. This critical qualitative research project examines the possibilities and complexities of teacher candidates conceptualizing, experiencing, and practicing community-based pedagogy in social studies education. The findings demonstrate how the use of community-based pedagogy in teacher preparation may expand the aim and scope of social studies. The implications discuss how teacher educators may collaborate with students, families, school district partners, and intergenerational community members in developing community-based teacher preparation in social studies and beyond.