Voices for Diversity and Social Justice: A Literary Education Anthology is an unflinching exploration through poetry, prose, and art of the heart of our educational system—of the segregation, bias, and oppression that are part of the daily lives of so many students and educators. It is also a series of poetical insights into the fights for liberation and resistance at the heart of many of the same students’ and teachers’ lives. The contributors—youth, educators, activists, others—share what it is like to face discrimination, challenge unjust policy, or subvert monotony by cultivating a vibrant, equitable, revolutionary school environment. This is not a prescriptive text, but instead a call to action. It is a call from many literary voices to create schools where social justice is at the core of education. Stunning in its revelations, Voices for Diversity and Social Justice is an anthology by educators and students unafraid to be passionate about what is missing, what is needed, and what is working in order to make that vision a reality.

The United States is more ideologically, philosophically, culturally, linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse than she has been in any given point in her history; however, many of her citizens are currently living in a state of fear. What stands out the most is how we allow this fear to take over our lives in multiple ways. We fear our neighbors; therefore, we do not engage them. We fear young people and the way they look; therefore, we do not have conversations with them. We fear the possibility of terrorists’ attacks; therefore, we utilize eavesdropping and surveillance devices on our citizens. There are some of us who fear the lost of gun rights; therefore, we stockpile weapons. We fear anything that is different from who we are and what we believe. This nation has, at many points within our history, become more united because of our fear; however, as our borders, physical and virtual, become less protective and the opportunities to connect more via the digital world expand, we must educate our citizenry to not live in fear but in hope. To teach, learn, and lead democratically requires the individual to engage in problem posing and in critiquing taken-for-granted narratives of power and privilege. Critical change occurs with significant self-sacrifice, potential alienation/rejection, and costly consequences. Educators must do justice to the larger social, public, and institutional responsibility of our positions, and we must exercise courage in creating opportunities for change. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Education: A Voice from the Margins, provides the space and opportunity to move beyond a state of fear, into a state of “organic transformation,” a place where fear creates the energy to speak those things that are not, as though they were.

With increasing diversity and widening disparities in the United States and globally there are significant challenges and opportunities throughout the educational landscape. Today’s educational stakeholders, particulary public school administrators and teachers, must re- envision education and collectively build equity-centered systems, structures, and practices. Confronting systemic inequality in education can be a daunting task, but it is nonetheless imperative. Connecting theory to practice, this book aims to promote inclusive educational excellence, and will offer valuable insights and inspiration to a wide range of educational stakeholders. Affirming diversity and advancing social justice requires dismantling oppressive customs and structures inside and outside of the classroom, fostering an equitable school culture, building inclusive learning environments, and increasing collective efficacy though best practice. Creating healthier schools and communities requires authentically investing in and supporting historically and socially marginalized students and families. Rooted in social justice and weaving together diverse voices from the field of education, this edited volume will examine equity-focused pre-K–12 pedagogical practices and showcase high-impact initiatives. Educators play a vital role in ensuring positive student outcomes and success, but often report feeling inadequately prepared for current challenges. Unfortunately, growing challenges are contributing to turnover rates and shortages as well as perpetuating social inequities among pre-K–12 students instead of dismantling them. A research study by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the Learning Policy Institute (LPI) reveals that public schools with higher percentages of low-income students and students of color are more likely to experience administrative and teacher turnover, which compounds equity issues affecting already vulnerable students. This edited volume will provide educational stakeholders (i.e., school administrators, teachers, service providers, parents/guardians, nonprofit leaders, community members) with a deeper understanding of pedagogical practices that affirm diversity and promote social justice, while offering a current view of educational inequalities juxtaposed with an urgent call to action. School districts across the United States must recognize inequalities and provide increasingly diverse students with needed support and resources, particularly as social dispairties continue to widen and adversely impact millions of students. Through a collection of diverse voices from the field of education (university educators; pre-K–12 district leaders, schools administrators and teachers; Nonprofit leaders serving children and youth) this book will illuminate current social inequalities impacting pre-K–16 students, establish the need to affirm diversity and advance social justice, share practical examples of transformative initiatives including mindful school-family- community partnerships, feature evidence-based pedagogical practices, and provide an array of helpful resources for 21st century educational stakeholders.

Examines systemic issues contributing to inequities in early childhood, with ways faculty, teachers, administrators, and policymakers can work to disrupt them.

Case Studies on Diversity and Social Justice Education offers pre- and in-service educators an opportunity to analyze and reflect upon a variety of realistic case studies related to educational equity and social justice. Each case, written in an engaging, narrative style, presents a complex but common classroom scenario in which an inequity or injustice is in play. These cases allow educators to practice the process of considering a range of contextual factors, checking their own biases, and making immediate- and longer-term decisions about how to create and sustain equitable learning environments for all students. The book begins with a seven-point process for examining case studies. Largely lacking from existing case study collections, this framework guides readers through the process of identifying, examining, reflecting on, and taking concrete steps to resolve challenges related to diversity and equity in schools. The cases themselves present everyday examples of the ways in which racism, sexism, homophobia and heterosexism, class inequities, language bias, religious-based oppression, and other equity and diversity concerns affect students, teachers, families, and other members of our school communities. They involve classroom issues that are relevant to all grade levels and all content areas, allowing significant flexibility in how and with whom they are used. Although organized topically, the intersection of these issues are stressed throughout the cases, reflecting the multi-faceted way they play out in real life. All cases conclude with a series of questions to guide discussion and a section of facilitator notes, called points for consideration. This unique feature provides valuable insight for understanding the complexities of each case.

Voices for Diversity and Social Justice: A Literary Education Anthology captures the struggle for identity, the fight for recognition, the disillusion with school and the desire to be seen, to be included and to be counted. It is an unflinching look from the heart of our educational system at the segregation, bias and oppression that is part of the daily lives of so many students and teachers. From all over the United States, we hear about what it is like to face the bully, challenge the administration or provide a vibrant classroom that includes every student who sits there each day. This book is not prescriptive, yet what can bring all of our young people into schools where social justice is at the core of the work, is clear from each of the poems and prose pieces in the collection. It is a book that is unafraid to be passionate about what is missing, what is needed, what is working in our classrooms; and is stunning in its revelation.