Teachers College Press Embracing Diversity: Teachers' Everyday Practices in Secondary English Language Arts Classrooms (Visions of Practice Series)

Embracing Diversity is about the craft of teaching, with a particular focus on celebrating the myriad of human identities through classic, contemporary, and unconventional texts. Secondary English language arts educators narrate their own experiences and provide insights by reflecting on aspects of everyday pedagogy. Featuring a rich array of texts designed to be both familiar and unfamiliar to the reader, the authors explore complex issues raised by a diverse body of writers, while simultaneously sharing methods that engage students to think critically. Topics include how students’ learning is influenced by their identities; the importance of building relationships; creating a balanced curriculum; developing cultural responsivity and cultural sustainability; confronting (dis)comfort zonesadapting to different educational contexts; and considering how the COVID-19 pandemic changed teaching. This teacher-friendly resource illustrates how reflective practitioners are assisted in their goal of teaching literacy skills while encompassing issues of social justice. Book Features: Multiple examples of classroom activities for the secondary ELA classroom. User-friendly text boxes highlighting points of interest. Questions at the end of each chapter to help readers reflect on their own practices. Detailed appendices featuring recommended books and practical resources.