Finding Joy in Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds: Culturally Responsive and Socially Just Practices in U.S. Classrooms
"Sonia Nieto has done it again. Another discerning work on the challenges teachers face when they confront the status quo, and the joy they find in working with young people who are often viewed as "the other" by the mainstream of society. Finding Joy in Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds presents a grim view of the mindless uniformity imposed upon our schools by standardized curricula. But the voices of the teachers leave us with a sense of hope that, if we cannot change the world, each of us can at least change a piece of it for children we respect and love." --Jonathan Kozol"Sonia Nieto reminds us in this beautifully written book that powerful instruction is happening all around us and that we need to look to our classrooms and our thriving teachers for guidance and direction. While honoring the voices of practicing educators, Nieto offers an inspiring and informative model of humane, engaging, and socially just teaching for today s diverse classrooms. I came away feeling more energized and committed than ever to do better for our children." --Ernest Morrell, Director, Institute for Urban and Minority Education (IUME) and President-elect, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)"In a political context where teachers' work gets systematically derogated and demonized, this text is a refreshing and stirring call to prospective and actual teachers everywhere to a renewed understanding of teaching as a thoroughly ethical, political, humanistic, and social justice endeavor. Sonia Nieto's clear, informative, and courageous voice inspires the thought that culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy is that rock upon which a loving, caring and effective practice can be built. Kudos for immensely important work at a critical time in our nation's history." --Angela Valenzuela, Professor, University of Texas College of EducationIn her remarkable new book, Sonia Nieto shares insightful research, based on teachers experiences, which she then uses to critique educational reforms from outside. She highlights a broad range of teachers who all feel relentless outside pressure, but still find ways to thrive with a joyful pedagogy based on realism and hope. --Joan Wink, as reviewed in Multicultural PerspectivesIn a political context where teachers' work gets systematically derogated and demonized, this text is a refreshing and stirring call to prospective and actual teachers everywhere to a renewed understanding of teaching as a thoroughly ethical, political, humanistic, and social justice endeavor. Sonia Nieto's clear, informative, and courageous voice inspires the thought that culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy is that rock upon which a loving, caring and effective practice can be built. Kudos for immensely important work at a critical time in our nation's history. --Angela Valenzuela, Professor, University of Texas College of Education