Source:
DellʻAngelo, T. (2014, September 29). Creating classrooms for social justice. [Web log]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/creating-classrooms-for-social-justice-tabitha-dellangelo
What is Sacred:
This is not really an article, more a reminder - social justice, defined as recognizing and acting on the power that we have for making positive change - is a good thing. It is necessary. Some of us spend all of our careers fighting for social justice in education. This is just a gentle reminder.
when making curriculum decisions, consider, value, build on the diverse prior learning experiences of studentsOther focuses - creating community, making learning relevant, creating authentic assessment
Connections to Current/Future Work:
This does not replace the social justice focus that I talk about throughout the pre-service journey, but I can use this along with a TEDx talk to create a discussion point.
If parents were educators themselves, I think what they want for their children from their teachers is social justice. They want their children to learn in a community of learners. They want their children to be in a classroom where teachers are making learning relevant. I think if parents were educators, that is what they would ask for. I know that is what I asked for, and seriously, I tried to be as silent a partner as possible in my boysʻ educations because I know what it is to be a teacher and get questioned by parents. But when I did blow up, and yes it was always a biggie - apologies to the teachers - it really had to do with a social injustice issued in the classroom. Fairness and compassion and transformation not punishment.
So social justice is as simple as asking students what they are interested in, where they come from, who they are, what do they think, and then really listen and plan accordingly.
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