This project developed and piloted a six-week hybrid Sustainability Education (SE) training program for UIUC College of Education pre-service teachers. The research phase focused on designing and testing training materials, collecting pre and post survey, focus group and course artifacts data, and evaluating its impact on teachers’ sustainability competencies and their capacity and intentions to integrate socio-ecological literacy into their future classrooms. By bridging institutional goals with classroom practice, the project aims to strengthen teacher education and address gaps in SE competencies in the U.S.
Team Members
Sam Lindgren
Aigul Rakisheva
Publications
Upcoming Conference Presentations:
Rakisheva, A. & Lindgren, S. (April 12, 2026). Preparing sustainability-literate teachers: Outcomes of an education training program. Paper presented as a poster at the American Educational Research Association annual conference. Los Angeles, CA.
Rakisheva, A., & Lindgren, S. (November 10, 2025). From Training to Transformation: Evaluating the Impact of Sustainability Education on Pre-Service Teachers’ Socio-Ecological Literacy and Pedagogical Confidence. Paper presented at the American Evaluation Association Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.
Rakisheva, A. & Lindgren, S. (October 30, 2025). Building Teacher Capacity: Socio-Ecological Literacy, Self-Efficacy, and Future Intentions. Paper presented at the 22nd Annual NAAEE Research Symposium.
Rakisheva, A. & Lindgren, S. (October 10, 2025). The Impact of Sustainability Education Training on Pre-Service Teachers: A Quasi-Experimental Study Advancing Socio-Ecological Literacy and Teaching Efficacy. Paper presented as a poster at the Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness annual conference, Chicago, IL.