New Collaborations Between Pre-Service Teachers and Homeless Advocacy

Author : Doug Feldmann

Abstract :At the presenter's institution, exciting new connections are being bridged between pre-service teachers and community programs addressing issues of local and regional homelessness. Through unique adult education offerings, after-school tutoring programs, and other creative ventures, students who are working to become teachers are being immersed in public service projects while also satisfying state requirements for field experience hours in advance of their student teaching semesters. While the college students provide a valuable human resource to the community in doing so, a mutual exchange of benefits – in the true spirit of service learning – is indeed occurring both ways, as the students absorb valuable interactive experiences in advance of their future placement in teaching jobs. Moreover, due to the relationships established during these experiences, many of these students are choosing to continue serving these populations as teachers in the surrounding schools once their certification is complete. Attendees at this session will be able witness first-hand accounts of both the students and recipients of these experiences, and learn how such a program can be successfully implemented in their own communities

Keywords :Bridging Pre-Service Teacher Education and Community Engagement: A Service-Learning Model Addressing Local Homelessness

Conference Name :International Conference on Evidence-Based Educational Methods and Models (ICEBEMM-25)

Conference Place Chicago, USA

Conference Date 3rd Oct 2025