Routledge Understanding Suffering in Schools: Shining a Light on the Dark Places of Education

Drawing inspiration from Dr. Willi Schohaus’s classic text The Dark Places of Education, this book contributes to the discussion by defining suffering in schools and providing a survey of the American school system’s inadequacies in the early twenty-first century. Through testimonies from former students on the ways they experienced suffering in school, this volume demonstrates how suffering can profoundly affect one’s academic growth and development―or worse. By analyzing the findings within a multidisciplinary ethical and educational framework, this volume presents a moral vision for understanding the role that suffering plays in school. Drawing on research in medicine, psychology, social sciences, religion, and education, this text weaves together many strands of thinking about suffering. This book is essential reading for academics, researchers, and postgraduate students in the fields of educational leadership, foundations of education, and those interested in both the history of education and critical contemporary accounts of schooling. Review "This work organizes how suffering can exist in many aspects of an individual’s life experience. Polizzi has delivered an essential tool that a provider, whether one of personal-care, education or mental health, can access to build on the fundamentals of acknowledging, addressing and managing suffering." Francesco Mulé, MD, Palliative Physician, Canada "Understanding Suffering in Schools is essential for educators, parents, students, and policymakers engaged in making schools more humane and enlightening. Polizzi and Frick weave scientific evidence with heart-rendering stories about the dark side of education, and then show how with greater resilience and courage, grace, compassion, and humility school leadership can alleviate student suffering. With the increasing demands of education and its proven promise for a better society, all children, youth, and families must grapple with the growing cognitive and psychological rigors of schooling; and it is vital that we make the experience compassionate and supportive for everyone. This book gives us a crucial moral vision for the way forward." David P. Baker, Pennsylvania State University, USA "Polizzi and Frick's work has affected every interaction I have had with a student or staff member since reading the book and inspired me to do better every day. It is a must read for practitioners working to make their school a safe and welcoming environment for K-12 students because it provides a window into the mental health struggles that prevent many students from reaching their potential." Mark P. Murphy, Principal, Lackawanna Trail Jr. Sr. High School, USA About the Author Joseph Polizzi is Associate Professor of Education and Educational Leadership at Sacred Heart University, USA William C. Frick is Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Oklahoma, USA.