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Entry #54115
PURE Insights Submission Form
Submitted: 2026-02-24 04:49:02
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ID: 46
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Submission Agreement
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Consent: 1
Text: I agree to the Submission Agreement.
Description: 5
Your Information
Your Name
ID: 1
First: Dorothy
Middle: M
Last: Miller
Your Email Address
ID: 2
Enter Email: dmiller22@mail.wou.edu
Alternate Email Address
ID: 68
Institutional Affiliation
ID: 35
Graduate Student, M.A. in Deaf Studies, Lamar University
Faculty Sponsor(s)
ID: 37
| Ya-Fang | Cheng | chengy@mail.wou.edu |
IRB Approval
ID: 69
My work did not include human subjects and so does not need an IRB approval
Authors
ID: 39
| Dorothy | M | Miller | dmiller22@mail.wou.edu | Lamar University | 1 |
| Ya-Fang | Cheng | chengy@mail.wou.edu | Western Oregon University | 2 |
Submission Details
Title
ID: 40
Confronting Racism and Ableism Within Early Childhood: Reflections and Strategies from a Preschool Teacher with Cerebral Palsy
Abstract
ID: 12
This autoethnography study examines how racism and ableism operate within early childhood education and how teachers’ implicit biases shape the experiences of young children, particularly those with disabilities. Drawing on the first author’s student-teaching experience in two preschool settings, this paper provides authentic examples of how structural racism, linguistic marginalization, and ableist assumptions influence classroom practices and children’s opportunities to learn. As a preschool teacher with cerebral palsy, the first author offers a critical insider perspective on the subtle and overt forms of bias that affect both educators and children with disabilities. Using journals, field notes, and reflective dialogue, the authors identify patterns of exclusion and propose three actionable strategies to confront racism and ableism: (1) promoting hands-on, risk-taking learning that fosters independence; (2) implementing inclusive curricula and materials that authentically represent disability and diversity; and (3) adopting a whole-child approach that considers children’s social, emotional, cultural, and familial contexts. The study calls on early childhood educators to engage in sustained self-reflection and intentional practice to dismantle systemic inequities and create inclusive, justice-oriented learning environments.
Keywords
ID: 41
Ableism, Disabilities, Racism, Cerebral Palsy, Preschool Teachers, Early Childhood, Inclusion, Implicit Bias, Deaf, Whole Child Approach, Special Education, Early Intervention
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Revision 6
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Revision Summaries
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Has this been submitted to a professional journal?
ID: 42
No
What license would you like to publish your work under?
ID: 65
CC BY-NC-ND
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