Gabrielle Pretto

Teaching and learning have been inextricably interwoven throughout my life. For the better part of the last decade, I have been able to put theory into practice, simultaneously working as a teacher and being an enrolled student in teacher education. Beginning with my master’s program, my research has been focused on ways to make room and create spaces within teacher education programs that seek to prepare teachers for diversity. In moving towards a social justice praxis in the classroom, taking on a funds of knowledge approach to teaching, learning, and curriculum design must be fostered in an environment that is not only encouraged but modeled. Ultimately, the goal in my research, is to provide insight into the type of space that can be carved out in teacher preparation programs. 

As I started my teaching career, I first began in the Santa Fe Public School system as a Paraprofessional for Pre-k for two years, followed by Title 1 Literacy Coach for one year, followed by three years of 4th grade. As I entered my Doctoral Program, I decided to change my trajectory to focus on Higher Education. I am a former Graduate Assistant for the Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy (TEELP) department and a former Student Teacher Field Supervisor, where I was able to take part in the experience of creating a pathway between the teacher preparation program, public schools, and the individual as a pre-service teacher educator. For two years, I served as a Teaching Assistant for EDUC 1120: Introduction to Education, as well as EDUC 321: Social Studies Methods Course for the Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy (TEELP) and The Teacher Education Collaborative in Language Diversity & Arts Integration (TECLA) departments. Here, I was able to use a hands-on approach to curriculum design, working with Professors and instructors of other course sections. I have been able to embed my doctoral research of student and teacher funds of knowledge, cultural wealth, and curriculum design into student learning by extending instruction to the learning of community and culture. 

I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy Department at the University of New Mexico, with an expected graduation date of Summer 2023.