Intercultural Experiential Continuum: A Case Study of Early Childhood Teachers Working with Refugee Children

Authors

• Ekaterina Strekalova-Hughes University of Missouri - Kansas City
• X. Christine Wang State University of New York at Buffalo

Keywords:

teachers of refugee children, intercultural experiential continuum, urban teacher education

Abstract

To address the cultural mismatch between early childhood teachers and refugee students in urban public school settings, this qualitative case study explores how teachers working with young refugees develop interculturally. Grounded in Dewey’s experiential transaction theory, we analyze two teachers’ contrasting trajectories of intercultural sensitivity development. Our findings highlight the agency of teachers (pre-experience worldview and motivation) and key qualities of intercultural experiences (cultural immersion, cultural isolation, authentic cultural dialog) within experiential transactions. Finally, the study bring to light teachers’ intercultural experiential continuums where relevant previous, present, and future experiences are interconnected.