Using YA Literature to Help Preservice Teachers Deal With Bullying and Suicide

Abstract

An incident of bullying, violence in the classroom, or suicide can unsettle teachers' views of their teaching, their role as a teacher, and their relationships with students. Unfortunately, there is a high probability that many educators will teach a young person who has been bullied or considered suicide. This article explores the shifts in preservice teachers' understanding about issues of bullying and suicide through their self-selected reading of 13 Reasons Why (Asher, 2007) and Hate List (Brown, 2008). Results found preservice teachers chose to read either 13 Reasons Why or Hate List because they knew someone who committed suicide. Their engagement in the books allowed them to understand and imagine the characters' experiences, perspectives, and decision-making. Through reading and discussions they developed compassion and empathy for the characters; this compassion and empathy extended to their future students.

Reference

Pytash, K. E. (2013). Using YA Literature to Help Preservice Teachers Deal With Bullying and Suicide. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 56(6), 470–479.

Journal

Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy

Analysis

Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?

Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?

Research Approach

none stated

Geographic Setting

United States

Institutional Context

University based

Certification Level

Secondary

Programatic Focus

not stated

Research Location Context

Children's Literature Course
University

Preservice Participants

Undergraduates (university based program)

Preservice Sample Size

Duration of Data Collection

4 to 6 months

Data Sources

Document Analysis
Interviews

Data Analysis Tools

Constant comparative analysis

Researcher Positionality

Inside (studying their own practices)

Research Questions

"In what ways did PSTs transact with the texts as readers?"
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes

"How did this transaction influence their thoughts about being future teachers?"
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown