The Role of Community College Faculty in Teaching and Learning for Sustainable Development

Abstract

DEDICATIONTo my family, thank you for your patience. The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes, beliefs, and practices of community college professors regarding education for sustainable development (ESD).In-depth interviews with 14 professors from different disciplines were conducted. The The study found that the professors considered ESD an essential issue. The majority discussed the economic and social aspects of ESD; however, the environmental aspect was mentioned most frequently. The professors' conceptualizations of ESD were influenced by their experiences and evidenced by the metaphors they used. Although their engagement with ESD differed, the professors expressed optimism toward ESD vi related teaching and learning. They regarded ESD as compatible with their subjects, and most had already been infusing sustainability into their courses or planned to do so.Additionally, the participants' teaching practices reflected many of the characteristics of ESD. Even though the professors considered ESD challenging, they believed that they could make contributions to the college's effort. The metaphor of "Planting a Seed" was frequently used to describe this holistic approach. The study also found that many professors regarded interpersonal relationships and communication significant factors for the advancement of ESD.The participants described several challenges to integrating ESD at their college.These related to time constraints, density of curriculum, institutional size and fragmentation, dearth of administrative support and incentives, students' lack of academic preparation and sustainability awareness, students' inability to focus on ESD because of personal, social, or economic circumstances, and professors' frustration about a divisive atmosphere as a result of their engagement with sustainability. Despite these obstacles, the professors believed that ESD could be successfully woven into the community college experience.