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Listen To The Truth They Bring
Sometimes social change comes with the thunder of a revolt or uprising. Sometimes it begins in the silence of personal reflection. Educator Lori Wojtowicz believes it starts by listening.
She listens to her former students. In a series of interviews, Wojtowicz reconnects with former students, now with children and grandchildren of their own, asking them to share what classrooms and the country need to move toward social justice. They may not have prestigious titles or letters behind their names, but they are the experts of lived experience. They tell their truths with unabashed honesty.
Listening is not easy. As one former student said, “You must listen even when you don’t want to hear.” Listening is not passive. Wojtowicz challenges her readers to actively engage, to reflect not only on the students’ stories but on how the reader receives them.
These former students fight for equity in the silence of reading and reflection. Join them.
She listens to her former students. In a series of interviews, Wojtowicz reconnects with former students, now with children and grandchildren of their own, asking them to share what classrooms and the country need to move toward social justice. They may not have prestigious titles or letters behind their names, but they are the experts of lived experience. They tell their truths with unabashed honesty.
Listening is not easy. As one former student said, “You must listen even when you don’t want to hear.” Listening is not passive. Wojtowicz challenges her readers to actively engage, to reflect not only on the students’ stories but on how the reader receives them.
These former students fight for equity in the silence of reading and reflection. Join them.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2024
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 6, 2024
Adds so much to an important conversation
Race is a tough topic to talk about; even harder to capture for readers I think. I loved the way Lori structured this book. It was a smooth read but yet it held so much knowledge for anyone willing to listen. The dual perspectives for readers of race impacts in high school but shared by the same people later in their lives was fascinating to me. I couldn’t put this book down, nor could I stop talking about it to anyone who would listen. I loved the format of this book, and the content was even better. Thank you so much for the impact this book has had on my daily life!
Race is a tough topic to talk about; even harder to capture for readers I think. I loved the way Lori structured this book. It was a smooth read but yet it held so much knowledge for anyone willing to listen. The dual perspectives for readers of race impacts in high school but shared by the same people later in their lives was fascinating to me. I couldn’t put this book down, nor could I stop talking about it to anyone who would listen. I loved the format of this book, and the content was even better. Thank you so much for the impact this book has had on my daily life!
December 20, 2025
Listen to the Truth They Bring is a powerful and reflective work that centers lived experience as a vital source of knowledge in conversations about race, equity, and education.
By amplifying the voices of former students, Lori Wojtowicz invites readers to listen deeply, question assumptions, and engage with education through empathy rather than theory. The book encourages honest reflection and meaningful dialogue, making it especially impactful for educators and anyone invested in creating more inclusive learning environments.
An important and timely read that lingers long after the final page.
By amplifying the voices of former students, Lori Wojtowicz invites readers to listen deeply, question assumptions, and engage with education through empathy rather than theory. The book encourages honest reflection and meaningful dialogue, making it especially impactful for educators and anyone invested in creating more inclusive learning environments.
An important and timely read that lingers long after the final page.
November 6, 2024
Interesting and valuable
I don’t typically read books that are all interviews. I loved the way Lori structured this book, however. She has such a laid-back style in her writing that I didn’t realize how many pages I’d read until I had almost finished the book. I found I was so enraptured by each person’s story and so interested in what each person was going to share that I couldn’t put the book down. I loved the style of this book—it’s different than any book I’ve read before. I think many readers will love it.
I don’t typically read books that are all interviews. I loved the way Lori structured this book, however. She has such a laid-back style in her writing that I didn’t realize how many pages I’d read until I had almost finished the book. I found I was so enraptured by each person’s story and so interested in what each person was going to share that I couldn’t put the book down. I loved the style of this book—it’s different than any book I’ve read before. I think many readers will love it.
November 6, 2024
Important Eye-opening memoir and book
This book has such an interesting format. Each chapter has a key focus around the topics of race or equity in education or life. However, most of the content of this book is delivered in an interview/memoir format. It reads so smoothly and easily, and yet readers will learn so much from each of the twenty-two former students and interviewees. I felt the perspectives of these interviewees as adults also gave this book so much credibility. Readers who love a memoir type of book or who like to learn will love this style!
This book has such an interesting format. Each chapter has a key focus around the topics of race or equity in education or life. However, most of the content of this book is delivered in an interview/memoir format. It reads so smoothly and easily, and yet readers will learn so much from each of the twenty-two former students and interviewees. I felt the perspectives of these interviewees as adults also gave this book so much credibility. Readers who love a memoir type of book or who like to learn will love this style!
November 6, 2024
Fascinating , Meaningful Topic
I loved this book. As an educator, I feel like we’re always faced with our own shortcomings or how our viewpoints impact individual students in our classrooms. Lori’s ability to capture these impacts and ask questions of her former students that demonstrate these impacts was fascinating to me. I loved hearing from each of her 22 interviewees to see how poverty, homelessness, race or other inequities impacted each of them throughout high school and life. I highly recommend this book!
I loved this book. As an educator, I feel like we’re always faced with our own shortcomings or how our viewpoints impact individual students in our classrooms. Lori’s ability to capture these impacts and ask questions of her former students that demonstrate these impacts was fascinating to me. I loved hearing from each of her 22 interviewees to see how poverty, homelessness, race or other inequities impacted each of them throughout high school and life. I highly recommend this book!
November 6, 2024
I learned so much!
As someone interested in equity and race conversations in education, this book taught me more than any equity class or textbook ever could. I loved the way Lori’s voice contributed to the conversation. She’s so vulnerable in this book as she shares the way she thought about each student alongside the stories of each student’s realities. It’s hard to confront our biases, but even harder to do it publicly. I deeply respect Lori’s ability to share her story in a way that makes each of her student’s stories shine even more brightly.
As someone interested in equity and race conversations in education, this book taught me more than any equity class or textbook ever could. I loved the way Lori’s voice contributed to the conversation. She’s so vulnerable in this book as she shares the way she thought about each student alongside the stories of each student’s realities. It’s hard to confront our biases, but even harder to do it publicly. I deeply respect Lori’s ability to share her story in a way that makes each of her student’s stories shine even more brightly.
November 6, 2024
Unique Storyline!
As a fellow educator, I loved the viewpoints expressed in this book. Lori’s idea to interview her former students and toggle back and forth between their high school experiences (and hers as their high school teacher) and them as adults made this story not only unique but also really inspirational. I felt these dual viewpoints offered more to learn than any textbook on race or equity could offer.
As a fellow educator, I loved the viewpoints expressed in this book. Lori’s idea to interview her former students and toggle back and forth between their high school experiences (and hers as their high school teacher) and them as adults made this story not only unique but also really inspirational. I felt these dual viewpoints offered more to learn than any textbook on race or equity could offer.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews