Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Executive Leadership
First Supervisor
Dr. Marie Cianca
Second Supervisor
Dr. Angela Green
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the perspectives of higher education faculty on how emerging teachers are prepared to deliver effective literacy instruction in urban elementary classrooms. Guided by the Science of Reading as the theoretical framework, the study examined how literacy instruction is conceptualized and implemented in preservice training and how well faculty believe their programs prepare novice educators for urban literacy challenges. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with faculty from multiple teacher preparation programs. The findings aimed to inform policy, curriculum design, and professional development to better align literacy instruction with evidence-based practices and the needs of urban students, ultimately bridging the gap between theory and practice and promoting educational equity. The study identified three key findings. First, preservice teacher competence depends on explicit, modeled instruction in Science of Reading–aligned foundational literacy. Second, teacher preparation programs emphasize exposure to literacy concepts more than opportunities for application, resulting in a disconnect between coursework and classroom practice. Third, cultural competence is essential to sustaining rigor and relevance in urban literacy instruction. Addressing these gaps is critical to ensuring that emerging teachers are adequately prepared to deliver effective, equitable literacy instruction and to support improved outcomes for students in urban school communities.
Recommended Citation
Mirabal-Bonner, Joi A., "Navigating Literacy Education: A Phenomenological Inquiry into Elementary Teacher Preparation and Perspectives" (2026). Education Doctoral. Paper 656.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/education_etd/656
Please note that the Recommended Citation provides general citation information and may not be appropriate for your discipline. To receive help in creating a citation based on your discipline, please visit http://libguides.sjfc.edu/citations.