Esta es Nuestra Historia: An Intergenerational Study with Three Latin@ Educators

This study explores the concept of critical ontology and how it informs the being, work, and advocacy of three Latin@ educators in the San Marcos community who span three generations. Two Latin@ educators and myself, are the primary unit of analysis although, secondary and tertiary units of analysis which include citizens’ stories of schooling and community are presented. This qualitative inquiry employs critical microethnography and autoethnography. Social cartography is the genre used to present our findings, which culminate in a museum titled San Marcos Desde Adentro; it presents a map of our lives at the micro and macro context. The findings reveal the development of critical ontology as a fluid process that has been marked by the awakening of our critical consciousness. The development of our critical ontology has an impact on our identity, our work in schools, and our role as activists in the community; it serves as a moral compass guiding our work ethic, agenda, and advocacy. This study informs us that understanding the role of critical ontology for Latin@ educators working in traditional white stream institutions becomes a tool for resistance contributing to the participants’ identity formation and critical awareness. Implications of this study inform us on the importance of Latin@s educators’ understanding of the self and the impact education has on community change. Additional implications for education and community development include the historical stories of the district and community which can be utilized to inform future Latin@ educators and school leaders.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

School Improvement

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Cantu, Yvette

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Guajardo, Miguel A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Larrotta, Clarena
• Grimaldo, Leticia Romero
• Martinez, Melissa A.

• critical ontology
• Latina educators
• LatCrit
• microethnography
• Pláticas
• social cartography
• activism
• autoethnography

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/6032

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/6032