This book explores how citizen teachers can expand our capacities to generate more equitable and just spaces with families by working as community organizers. Paying particular attention to community organizing work in one elementary school, the book weaves stories and examples with theoretical understandings to support emerging citizen teachers in creating more democratic spaces. Each chapter provides key community organizing concepts and skills and offers lessons learned to identify what worked and what did not. By building solidarity with families, citizen teachers can effectively activate more powerful practices grounded in the lives of students, their families, and their communities while articulating a broader response to the conditions impacting educators.
Author(s): Gerald K. Wood
Publisher: Palgrave Pivot
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 126
City: Cham
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Contents
Chapter 1: Citizen Teachers: Why Teachers Should Organize
Opening Vignette
Introduction
Teachers’ Working Conditions
Divestment from Public Education
Community and Education Organizing in Chicago
Education Organizing
#RedforEd
Conceptualizing Citizen Teachers
What Is a Citizen Teacher?
Citizen Professionals
Situating Myself as a Citizen Teacher
Organization of the Book
References
Chapter 2: Place-Making as Citizen Teachers: Analyzing Using Critical and Racialized Geographies
Opening Vignette
Introduction
Place-Making in Schools and Communities
Production of Space
Critical and Racialized Geographies
Racial and Spatial Reorganization and Public Schools
Thinking Spatially
COVID-19
Mass School Shootings
Mapping the School Context
Success for All
Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: The Power of Teacher Organizing
Opening Vignette
Introduction
Whiteness and White Spatial Imaginaries
Border Crossings and Border Pedagogy
Community Organizing Concept: Self-Interest
Community Organizing Concept: Power
Community Organizing Skill: Individual Meetings
Context of Teacher Organizing
Organizing for Mutual Accountability
Conducting Individual Meetings
Honoring Community Traditions and Spaces
Power Mapping, Research, and Identifying Targets
Lessons Learned
Challenges
Conclusion
References
Chapter 4: The Power of Parent Organizing
Opening Vignette
Introduction
Education Organizing
Black Spatial Imaginaries
Distinguishing Between Parent Involvement and Parent Engagement
Community Organizing Concept: Public Accountability
Community Organizing Skill: Conducting House Meetings
Bridging and Bonding Spaces
Stories from Parent Organizing
Identifying Parent Leaders
Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)
Math Curriculum
Parent and Family Involvement Team
Fry Bread Sale
Lessons Learned
Conclusion
References
Chapter 5: The Power of Student Organizing: Public Achievement
Opening Vignette
Introduction
Public Achievement
Community Organizing Concept: Public Work
Community Organizing Concept: Everyday Politics
Public Achievement in Action
Context of Public Achievement Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Engaging Public Achievement
Walking Through an Example: Getting a Playground with Fourth Graders
Lessons Learned
Conclusion
References
Chapter 6: The Power of Teacher Education
Opening Vignette
Introduction
Civic Engagement
1964 Mississippi Freedom Schools
Community Organizing Concept: Free Spaces
Student Involvement Days: Putting Freedom School Principles into Practice
Aspiring Educators Union Chapter: Social Justice Unionism
Union Stewardship
Changing the Structure
Transitioning Toward Social Justice Unionism
Lessons Learned
Conclusion
References
Chapter 7: Conclusion
Opening Vignette
Introduction
Teacher Identities as Citizen Teachers
Border Crossings and the Mobilizations of Broader Collective Interests
Getting Started
Conclusion
References
Index
