Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Degree Granting Department

Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning

Major Professor

Michael Berson, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Charles Vanover, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Ilene Berson, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Cheryl Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Keywords

Black history education, cemetery, place-based education, social studies education

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive case study is to study how teachers utilize cemeteries as a teaching space, specifically for instruction in Black history and for enacting social studies curriculum by examining the curricular and instructional strategies two educators use with historically Black cemeteries as a place of learning for students in west coastal central Florida. Conversations around what to do about the issue of historically Black cemeteries are growing in Florida, including the state dedicating resources to place-based education in cemeteries. Thus, this study is timely. A purposeful sampling strategy was used to select the two educators who used historically Black cemeteries as part of their curriculum. Though they have vastly different approaches, their stories can help other educators consider how to use place-based education using cemeteries to increase student engagement and ownership of learning. The data was gathered primarily through three semi-structured interviews, including a walking tour that the participant led. Other sources of data were archival research as well as on-site observations of the cemetery spaces; the purpose of these sources of data were to better understand the sites that the teachers were using with their students. Through some storytelling and thematic analysis, I share my learnings for how teachers can use cemeteries as places of learning for students. Further, I share the implications of my learnings about using place-based cemetery education for teaching social studies content. These learnings are especially salient in the Florida education context due to the various conversations about legislation and education reform related to Black history education in Florida.

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