2025 Theses Doctoral

The Story of Me, The Story of We: Urban Teacher Narratives and the Transformative Power of Storytelling for Black and Brown Students

Beauzil, David O'Neil

This dissertation focused on the possible use of storytelling in teacher practice to understand Black and Brown students and enhance their literacy. This study examined how teachers’ narratives create connections with students, which help foster critical literacy and engagement and empower students in urban classrooms.

Using narrative analysis and interviews, this research studied how pedagogues’ stories bridge linguistic and cultural gaps in order for Black and Brown children to see their identities reflected in academic spaces and to feel valued and validated. When teachers tell stories, they become more aware of the barriers that their students face due to the system, and they can plan better and more culturally responsive literacy practices.

This research looked at how storytelling enhances students’ power to take control, be tough in circumstances, and feel at home (belonging) through margins of ability stemming from race, ethnicity, gender, culture, and class. Teachers can use stories in the classroom to create equitable learning environments and make critical pedagogical moves. They can do this by using their narratives to shift the dominant discourse over time. This study promotes the idea of storytelling as a useful pedagogical tool to enhance literacy development and foster inclusive and affirming classroom spaces for Black and Brown students by amplifying teacher voices.