This book focuses on the theory and practices of a highly successful mathematics teacher of African American children in a high-poverty school. The discussions in the book center on the ideals of culturally responsive teaching (CRT), and seek to build understanding of this concept in the context of mathematics.

Unearthing Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching: The Legacy of Gloria Jean Merriex focuses on the theory and practices of a highly successful mathematics teacher of African American children in a high-poverty school. The book aims to contribute to the limited literature base in this area in mathematics education. The discussions in the book center on the ideals of culturally responsive teaching (CRT), and seek to build understanding of this concept in the context of mathematics. Further, the story of Gloria Jean Merriex speaks to the importance of historical influences on teaching practice. Her story is couched in sociopolitical realities of the American educational system, and is discussed as such. Cultural incongruities that exist in classrooms and contribute to the black-white achievement gap, particularly in mathematics, are also discussed.

In Cultivating Genius, Dr. Gholdy E. Muhammad presents a four-layered equity framework--one that is grounded in history and restores excellence in literacy education. This framework, which she names, Historically Responsive Literacy, was derived from the study of literacy development within 19th-century Black literacy societies. The framework is essential and universal for all students, especially youth of color, who traditionally have been marginalized in learning standards, school policies, and classroom practices. The equity framework will help educators teach and lead toward the following learning goals or pursuits: Identity Development--Helping youth to make sense of themselves and others Skill Development-- Developing proficiencies across the academic disciplines Intellectual Development--Gaining knowledge and becoming smarter Criticality--Learning and developing the ability to read texts (including print and social contexts) to understand power, equity, and anti-oppression When these four learning pursuits are taught together--through the Historically Responsive Literacy Framework, all students receive profound opportunities for personal, intellectual, and academic success. Muhammad provides probing, self-reflective questions for teachers, leaders, and teacher educators as well as sample culturally and historically responsive sample plans and text sets across grades and content areas. In this book, Muhammad presents practical approaches to cultivate the genius in students and within teachers.

From two math coaches who really know how Have you ever wished there were a single resource to help you tackle your most persistent teaching issues once and for all? To engage students in more meaningful ways? To provide the tools you need to increase students’ understanding of key mathematical concepts? All at the same time! Math coaches Thomasenia Lott Adams and Joanne LaFramenta have just written it. With the help of this book, you’ll be armed with the know-how to employ strategies to achieve the CCSS, especially the Mathematical Practices make purposeful teaching decisions facilitate differentiated instruction teach and learn with manipulatives use technology appropriately

Leading, Teaching, and Learning is a resource for teachers taking action on Common Core State Standards to enhance student learning. Each chapter addresses various disciplines and grade levels with concrete examples. Chapters focus on research-based instruction, academic language development, thinking and complexity, English learners, non-proficient readers, rigor, and collaboration for ongoing professional capacity building.

This book is a critically important contribution to the work underway to transform schooling for students who have historically been denied access to a quality education, specifically African American children. The first section of the book provides some historical perspective critical to understanding the current state of education in the U.S., specifically for the education of African American children. The following sections include chapters on policy, learning, ethnomathematics, student identity, and teacher preparation as it relates to the mathematical education of Black children. Through offering “counternarratives” about mathematically successful Black youth, advocating for a curriculum that is grounded in African American culture and ways of thinking, providing shining examples of the brilliance of Blacks students, and promoting high expectations for all rather than situating students as the problem, the authors of this book provide powerful insights related to the teaching and learning of mathematics for African American students. As is made evident in this book, effective teaching involves much more than just engaging students in inquiry-based pedagogy (Kitchen, 2003). The chapters offered in this book demonstrate how mathematics instruction for African American students needs to take into account historical marginalization and present-day policies that do harm to Black students (Kunjufu, 2005). Empowering mathematics instruction for African American students needs to take into consideration and promote students’ cultural, spiritual, and historical identities. Furthermore, mathematics instruction for African American students should create opportunities for students to express themselves and the needs of their communities as a means to promote social justice both within their classrooms and communities.

The Coaching Partnership is a systematic approach to continually develop expertise of the administrators, coaches, mentors, and teachers. Through practical application of research-based strategies, inquiry based coaching, and generative thinking all partners will enhance their effectiveness, resulting in improved student achievement. Individual improvement, school improvement, and school district improvement can occur with implementation of the concepts.