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Teaching When the World Is on Fire
In this inspiring collection, the award-winning, bestselling author—and MacArthur genius—gathers all-star advice for K–12 teachers on engaging students around today's toughest issues
Is it okay to discuss politics in class? What are constructive ways to help young people process the daily news coverage of sexual assault? How can educators engage students around Black Lives Matter? Climate change? Confederate statue controversies? Immigration? Hate speech?
Lisa Delpit’s Other People’s Children, a classic text on cultural slippage in classrooms, has sold over a quarter million copies. In Teaching When the World Is on Fire, Delpit now turns to a host of crucial issues facing teachers in these tumultuous times. Delpit’s master-teacher wisdom tees up guidance from beloved, well-known educators along with insight from dynamic principals and classroom teachers tackling difficult topics in K–12 schools every day.
This honest and rich collection brings together essential observations on safety from Pedro Noguera and Carla Shalaby; incisive ideas on traversing politics from William Ayers and Mica Pollock; Christopher Emdin’s instructive views on respecting and connecting with black and brown students; Hazel Edwards’s crucial insight about safe spaces for transgender and gender-nonconforming students; and James W. Loewen’s sage suggestions about exploring symbols of the South; as well as timely thoughts from Bill Bigelow on teaching the climate crisis—and on the students and teachers fighting for environmental justice.
An energizing volume that speaks to our contentious world and the necessary conversations we all must have about it, Teaching When the World Is on Fire is sure to inspire teachers to support their students in navigating the current events, cultural shifts, and social dilemmas that shape our communities and our country.
Is it okay to discuss politics in class? What are constructive ways to help young people process the daily news coverage of sexual assault? How can educators engage students around Black Lives Matter? Climate change? Confederate statue controversies? Immigration? Hate speech?
Lisa Delpit’s Other People’s Children, a classic text on cultural slippage in classrooms, has sold over a quarter million copies. In Teaching When the World Is on Fire, Delpit now turns to a host of crucial issues facing teachers in these tumultuous times. Delpit’s master-teacher wisdom tees up guidance from beloved, well-known educators along with insight from dynamic principals and classroom teachers tackling difficult topics in K–12 schools every day.
This honest and rich collection brings together essential observations on safety from Pedro Noguera and Carla Shalaby; incisive ideas on traversing politics from William Ayers and Mica Pollock; Christopher Emdin’s instructive views on respecting and connecting with black and brown students; Hazel Edwards’s crucial insight about safe spaces for transgender and gender-nonconforming students; and James W. Loewen’s sage suggestions about exploring symbols of the South; as well as timely thoughts from Bill Bigelow on teaching the climate crisis—and on the students and teachers fighting for environmental justice.
An energizing volume that speaks to our contentious world and the necessary conversations we all must have about it, Teaching When the World Is on Fire is sure to inspire teachers to support their students in navigating the current events, cultural shifts, and social dilemmas that shape our communities and our country.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published September 17, 2019
159 people are currently reading
4632 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 12, 2020
If you’re an educator, read this book. If you know an educator, buy them this book.
In the introduction, Delpit asserts that this book “is not a manual on how to change schools, but rather provides encouragement and motivation, and most of all, inspiration at a time of growing division, incivility, hate, and violence, for transforming children’s lives...” (xxi). Delpit achieves her goal as stated in her thesis by combining essays from educators who represent a wide range of experiences as well as disciplines that makes this book well rounded in topics. There are many essays, if not all of them, that I will be referencing back to as I continue my enhance craft as an educator. Whether you value vision casting, practical tips, or just want to feel connected to other educators, there is something in this book for all educators.
In the introduction, Delpit asserts that this book “is not a manual on how to change schools, but rather provides encouragement and motivation, and most of all, inspiration at a time of growing division, incivility, hate, and violence, for transforming children’s lives...” (xxi). Delpit achieves her goal as stated in her thesis by combining essays from educators who represent a wide range of experiences as well as disciplines that makes this book well rounded in topics. There are many essays, if not all of them, that I will be referencing back to as I continue my enhance craft as an educator. Whether you value vision casting, practical tips, or just want to feel connected to other educators, there is something in this book for all educators.
November 30, 2019
Teaching When the World is on Fire is a fantastic read for socially conscious teachers but it has two limitations: One) the book makes the assumption that, if you are reading it, you share the authors’ world-views, but the book does not guide readers into how the writers arrive at these world-views; consequently conservative readers might shutdown/ feel enraged while reading this without understanding the evidence behind the positions presented here. Two) the praxis in this book is often localized, meaning that, while some strategies here can apply to a wide range of situations, it is also possible to read the essays collected here, pause for a moment to reflect “that’s neat,” then find yourself feeling that what you just read wouldn’t work in your own classroom.
April 30, 2020
An essential read for all educators! Something I will no doubt reference again & again through my teaching career.
January 11, 2025
Simultaneously thought-provoking and heart breaking. A book that requires conversation and dialogue with other educators.
March 4, 2022
This book is my jammmmmm
December 9, 2019
What I am loved about “Teaching When the Worlds on Fire” edited by Lisa Delpit:
1) I love love love reading about improving education. This book highlights the many ways educators across the US are pushing themselves and their student to action.
2) From climate justice to the Black Lives Matter movement, each section of this book talks about how to bring current events into the classroom and how integral this education will be for the next generation.
3) I loved reading about different ways of teaching from all over the states. As educators we need to continue to learn and change our practice and this one gives so many great ideas to do so!
1) I love love love reading about improving education. This book highlights the many ways educators across the US are pushing themselves and their student to action.
2) From climate justice to the Black Lives Matter movement, each section of this book talks about how to bring current events into the classroom and how integral this education will be for the next generation.
3) I loved reading about different ways of teaching from all over the states. As educators we need to continue to learn and change our practice and this one gives so many great ideas to do so!
March 16, 2021
I enjoyed reading this. I’ve always enjoyed learning about other teachers’ experiences, and this book was exactly that. There are so many inspiring teachers out there who truly want to empower our students, and this books has given me so much to think about. It’s allowed me to acknowledge the work I’ve done and do in my classroom to empower my students, but also all of the work I still need to do. Being a teacher today is a huge responsibility and this book not only identifies that, but celebrates it.
December 18, 2022
So I didn’t technically read the entire thing cause we only had to read certain sections for my TCH 110: Multicultural Education class. But the parts that I read, I loved! It gave me a new perspective on teaching in today’s times. It’s not always pretty. It’s far from perfect. But we can choose to learn and grow from others’ experiences and love even when others don’t. It added to my inspiration to become a teacher ❤️
August 16, 2019
While there are a couple of useful pieces of education pedogory discussed, this collection of essays is mainly a Leftest vehicle for attacking President Trump and mainstream America while enspousing Leftest political idealology. This was a free review copy though obtained through Goodreads.com.
January 1, 2022
A good reminder of what is at the heart of teaching as we all struggle to make sense of a world gone mad.
January 16, 2025
Lisa Delpit's "Teaching When the World Is on Fire" is a timely and important collection of essays that addresses the urgent need for social justice education. The book brings together a diverse group of educators and activists who offer their perspectives on how to teach in a world that is increasingly marked by division, inequality, and violence.
One of the strengths of the book is its focus on the voices of those who are most often marginalized in education. The essays offer a powerful critique of traditional educational practices that often perpetuate inequity. They also provide concrete examples of how teachers can create more inclusive and just classrooms.
However, the book is not without its weaknesses. At times, the essays can be repetitive and the overall tone can be somewhat didactic. Additionally, the book could benefit from a more in-depth exploration of the challenges and complexities of teaching for social justice.
Overall, "Teaching When the World Is on Fire" is a valuable resource for educators who are committed to creating a more just and equitable world. It is a book that will challenge readers to think critically about their own role in education and to take action to make a difference.
One of the strengths of the book is its focus on the voices of those who are most often marginalized in education. The essays offer a powerful critique of traditional educational practices that often perpetuate inequity. They also provide concrete examples of how teachers can create more inclusive and just classrooms.
However, the book is not without its weaknesses. At times, the essays can be repetitive and the overall tone can be somewhat didactic. Additionally, the book could benefit from a more in-depth exploration of the challenges and complexities of teaching for social justice.
Overall, "Teaching When the World Is on Fire" is a valuable resource for educators who are committed to creating a more just and equitable world. It is a book that will challenge readers to think critically about their own role in education and to take action to make a difference.
April 25, 2021
I received a copy of this book from the goodreads giveaway. "Teaching when the world is on fire" consists essays by teachers addressing subjects that students may face in their lives. Some needed to discuss in the classrooms. This includes politics, safety in the schools { involving school shootings} Race matters, gender and sex, climate and people from different cultures. all these subjects important ones to discuss and how to discuss the matters going on in the USA. A good teachable book for teachers and students.
June 17, 2023
It was in fact, fire. 🔥 Always a fan of any book that deems children as beings with “incalculable worth”.
Read
July 17, 2021Great collection of essays. Highly recommend for teachers.
May 16, 2020
As others have said, this is a insightful, impractical, aggressive collection of essays.
Most appreciated:
- Insights on student populations I hadn't specifically considered before
- Reflections on good motivating principles for teachers
- Genuinely moving stories of hope and restoration
Most unappreciated:
- This collection was totally unwelcoming and in many cases directly opposed to differing viewpoints on politics, society, culture, etc. I can't imagine principled Trump voters coming anywhere near this book (even if it would be useful for them), and I was made uncomfortable at some points by the unflinching opposition to anything explicitly Republican or conservative.
- When considering students who might disagree with teachers, the seemingly suggested approach was "either convince them to agree with you, because they're evidently wrong, or write them off as a hopeless case."
Most appreciated:
- Insights on student populations I hadn't specifically considered before
- Reflections on good motivating principles for teachers
- Genuinely moving stories of hope and restoration
Most unappreciated:
- This collection was totally unwelcoming and in many cases directly opposed to differing viewpoints on politics, society, culture, etc. I can't imagine principled Trump voters coming anywhere near this book (even if it would be useful for them), and I was made uncomfortable at some points by the unflinching opposition to anything explicitly Republican or conservative.
- When considering students who might disagree with teachers, the seemingly suggested approach was "either convince them to agree with you, because they're evidently wrong, or write them off as a hopeless case."
March 15, 2020
Timely read during the COVID-19 shut down...
Read
July 16, 2020For this month's book club, I selected Teaching When the World is on Fire by Lisa Delpit. I found the book while reading reviews of one of Delpit's other books entitled Other Peoples Children. Teaching When the World is on Fire is Delpit's most recent publication, having been released on September 17, 2019. Initially, what interested me in this book was that Delpit had collected short essays from various other educators across the country in order to tackle current issues that may be affecting students in the classroom: racism, restorative justice, the current political climate, school shootings and the general safety students experience during school, the value of a student's culture, sexual harassment, and general sexual education. While I typically work with mainly southeast Asian students, the general mixture of students at my site includes African American students, African students, and southeast Asian students among others which allows for this book to give valuable insights into issues students may be contemplating outside of their schoolwork. After finishing this book, I definitely think it should be one educators read as it provides a backdrop for conversations that many face being asked by their students and provides a way to navigate those difficult questions.
This book covers so many topics, it's almost hard to understand how so much information has been discussed in only 248 pages. The book is broken down into sections covering a general topic such as climate change or politics, then is broken down into short essays instead of chapters. Each essay is written by one or more authors who are educators, and each one provides an interesting backdrop to the topic being addressed in that educators school. Each essay relates such important stories and messages that these teachers have learned, either through their students or from their own experiences with trying to teach material regarding the topic in question, that it is almost hard to break the book down into a few important parts. The whole book is a wealth of information about covering, teaching, and addressing difficult topics with students that the book as a whole is itself important. There are many books in the appendix of this novel that were cited in each essay and all would help to expand my understanding of some of these topics.
One of the most important sections in the book is The Fire by Sarah Ishmael and Jonathan Tunstall, which is their conversation regarding racism in the country and how that has affected their students, how they teach racism, and their own lives as they are both African American. What struck me most about this chapter was the question they both ponder regarding a book by James Baldwin, which is "what will happen to humankind if we fail to raise our own consciousness of each other's lived experiences and to create empathy with one another so that all of us can survive". The two go on to have a conversation regarding how they have dealt with racism and how to teach it while teaching other students of color and how that the curriculum to empower students, to expose racism is a curriculum that usually isn't approved by Regents or by a school board and is something that has to be negotiated into a curriculum. That space has to be set aside in an approved curriculum in order to teach something that desperately needs more educators focused on is something hard won according to the authors of this chapter and in a way addresses the question posed by a book the authors have read.
I feel that this book relates to my service site not only because it covers how to address controversial topics with students of various backgrounds, it also relates to issues my students may be contemplating. Many of my students are between the ages of 18-24 and are having to contemplate how current issues in society may affect their decisions on jobs or furthering their education in a system that in ways works against them. This book definitely makes you empathize with the situation many people, not just your students, face on a daily basis even just in the classroom. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about how teachers across the country are trying to find answers to difficult questions currently facing our society and what that might mean in terms of approaching solutions right at the base, in a classroom where you can give students the platform and the tools to find solutions and implement them out in the greater community.
This book covers so many topics, it's almost hard to understand how so much information has been discussed in only 248 pages. The book is broken down into sections covering a general topic such as climate change or politics, then is broken down into short essays instead of chapters. Each essay is written by one or more authors who are educators, and each one provides an interesting backdrop to the topic being addressed in that educators school. Each essay relates such important stories and messages that these teachers have learned, either through their students or from their own experiences with trying to teach material regarding the topic in question, that it is almost hard to break the book down into a few important parts. The whole book is a wealth of information about covering, teaching, and addressing difficult topics with students that the book as a whole is itself important. There are many books in the appendix of this novel that were cited in each essay and all would help to expand my understanding of some of these topics.
One of the most important sections in the book is The Fire by Sarah Ishmael and Jonathan Tunstall, which is their conversation regarding racism in the country and how that has affected their students, how they teach racism, and their own lives as they are both African American. What struck me most about this chapter was the question they both ponder regarding a book by James Baldwin, which is "what will happen to humankind if we fail to raise our own consciousness of each other's lived experiences and to create empathy with one another so that all of us can survive". The two go on to have a conversation regarding how they have dealt with racism and how to teach it while teaching other students of color and how that the curriculum to empower students, to expose racism is a curriculum that usually isn't approved by Regents or by a school board and is something that has to be negotiated into a curriculum. That space has to be set aside in an approved curriculum in order to teach something that desperately needs more educators focused on is something hard won according to the authors of this chapter and in a way addresses the question posed by a book the authors have read.
I feel that this book relates to my service site not only because it covers how to address controversial topics with students of various backgrounds, it also relates to issues my students may be contemplating. Many of my students are between the ages of 18-24 and are having to contemplate how current issues in society may affect their decisions on jobs or furthering their education in a system that in ways works against them. This book definitely makes you empathize with the situation many people, not just your students, face on a daily basis even just in the classroom. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about how teachers across the country are trying to find answers to difficult questions currently facing our society and what that might mean in terms of approaching solutions right at the base, in a classroom where you can give students the platform and the tools to find solutions and implement them out in the greater community.
June 19, 2020
4 stars.
Docking a star because the first 1/4 of the book was honestly dull and uninspiring. I found that the most useful, interesting, and inspiring essays were scaffolded by dialogue, evidence, and stories from actual classrooms. Several essays, particularly at the beginning of this collection were simply suggestions for the classroom without providing any sort of evidence — qualitative or quantitative to support the claims being made. As professionals, it is important to back up our practices to best serve students.
The rest of the collection was fantastic. As a first-year teacher, I will keep of these thoughts in my mind as I enter a predominately low-income, black school as a white teacher. The scholars and educators featured in this collection tell their stories in such a compelling way that will make you — even if you have been teaching for decades — realize why you were drawn to the profession in the first place. Given our cultural, political, and environmental climate — we as educators have a responsibility to teach our students about issues in a way that is age appropriate yet challenging. The authors in this collection share stories of success, how students have grown to change their minds on crucial issues such as gender, race, and climate change. They also share stories in which they have failed or have yet to meet their goals. Both stories are valuable and necessary for any educator seeking to create an inclusive, diverse, and socially aware classroom.
I would recommend this book wholeheartedly to any educator at any point in their career — first year teachers like myself, administrators, or career teachers. You will learn so much from these experienced professionals and hopefully you will heed their advice to better serve your students regardless of the demographics of the classroom.
Docking a star because the first 1/4 of the book was honestly dull and uninspiring. I found that the most useful, interesting, and inspiring essays were scaffolded by dialogue, evidence, and stories from actual classrooms. Several essays, particularly at the beginning of this collection were simply suggestions for the classroom without providing any sort of evidence — qualitative or quantitative to support the claims being made. As professionals, it is important to back up our practices to best serve students.
The rest of the collection was fantastic. As a first-year teacher, I will keep of these thoughts in my mind as I enter a predominately low-income, black school as a white teacher. The scholars and educators featured in this collection tell their stories in such a compelling way that will make you — even if you have been teaching for decades — realize why you were drawn to the profession in the first place. Given our cultural, political, and environmental climate — we as educators have a responsibility to teach our students about issues in a way that is age appropriate yet challenging. The authors in this collection share stories of success, how students have grown to change their minds on crucial issues such as gender, race, and climate change. They also share stories in which they have failed or have yet to meet their goals. Both stories are valuable and necessary for any educator seeking to create an inclusive, diverse, and socially aware classroom.
I would recommend this book wholeheartedly to any educator at any point in their career — first year teachers like myself, administrators, or career teachers. You will learn so much from these experienced professionals and hopefully you will heed their advice to better serve your students regardless of the demographics of the classroom.
September 25, 2022
Lots of interesting insights, ideas and inspiration for how to incorporate inclusion into classrooms. Though the target audience is HS/MS teachers, I still found lots of value for my college courses and would encourage any educator (whether it be a teacher, coach, parent, etc) to read. There were plenty of takeaways that stood out for me, but here are two I captured to share.
One (this was actually the name of one of the essays): nothing about us, without is, is for us. In other words, if you don't include voices that represent your students, the curriculum isn't for them and they will not be sufficiently supported. Bring a variety of perspectives to the table and have people from varying backgrounds so there is appropriate representation. When I look at our school board, administration and other decision makers, they do not reflect the diversity of our student population. I could almost guarantee that if you look at students who are struggling, they are not represented in our curriculum or in the decision making so it is no surprise that they feel unsupported and have their struggles compounded.
Second is regarding discussions around race and that "It hurts students when teachers acknowledge only what black people have done for this country and not what this country has done to them." This essay also talks about the appropriation of black culture by white people and how it is the favorable aspects of the culture that are highlighted in these instances - music, food, culture, etc. Yet those same people stay silent about the oppression that led to many of these elements (black music, food, culture) to be created. That was a powerful point to reflect on. I'm not sure yet how to turn it into meaningful action, but the perspective will stick with me.
One (this was actually the name of one of the essays): nothing about us, without is, is for us. In other words, if you don't include voices that represent your students, the curriculum isn't for them and they will not be sufficiently supported. Bring a variety of perspectives to the table and have people from varying backgrounds so there is appropriate representation. When I look at our school board, administration and other decision makers, they do not reflect the diversity of our student population. I could almost guarantee that if you look at students who are struggling, they are not represented in our curriculum or in the decision making so it is no surprise that they feel unsupported and have their struggles compounded.
Second is regarding discussions around race and that "It hurts students when teachers acknowledge only what black people have done for this country and not what this country has done to them." This essay also talks about the appropriation of black culture by white people and how it is the favorable aspects of the culture that are highlighted in these instances - music, food, culture, etc. Yet those same people stay silent about the oppression that led to many of these elements (black music, food, culture) to be created. That was a powerful point to reflect on. I'm not sure yet how to turn it into meaningful action, but the perspective will stick with me.
November 27, 2020
An impressive collection of essays by some great authors, like Bill Ayers who I've recently enjoyed work from. The reviews seem to cry of this being too left-leaning , and to this, I almost don't know what to say, maybe because the book does offer little advice on how to dispute students who self identify as "right wing" and call anything that they disagree with "political"...The essays do fall short on how to approach students who have written off honest, contemporary science and history lessons as biased or political. Amy Harmon writes an essay penning the struggles of a teacher who felt that they had, in a way, morally failed a student who was a climate change denier by not being able to persuade her. I'd be interested to see what kinds of conversations can take place with students who are combative when engaged in critical issues that are deemed "political". It seems the story Harmon tells is one of a teacher who couldn't engage with a student about a topic without that student feeling isolated for their thinking. How can we possibly make progress when this is the case? I know that it's a myth that the right pedagogy and approach will give you a room full of happy and positively engaged students 100% of the time, but a lot of these essays seem to function under the assumption that your student body is ready for forward thinking Restorative Justice clubs. That's the hope, but how can we get there without knowing how to have a productive discourse with oppositional students?
May 17, 2021
YES. It is a must-read for educators who find themselves shying away from controversial topics, or fearing kids "can't handle" truth in educating them about the world around them.
It's a wonderfully well-organized and well curated series of essays by leading thinkers and educators currently in the field (it came out in 2019) and while it was collecting thoughts around the divisiveness following the 2016 presidential election and rise of protests for black lives, it includes evergreen topics and approaches that school workers, teachers, administrators and district leaders can all benefit from.
Topics considered include:
- race
- class
- parental engagement
- prisons, both their role in communities and the school-to-prison pipeline and discipline's role
- climate science and climate justice
- sexism and sexual harassment
- gender identity and teaching trans kids
- including black boys and men in education
- getting voices and parental input from black families
- representation in books and teaching materials, Asian visibility
- teaching and inclusiveness with Muslim communities
- trauma and empathy as institutions
- examining 'norms' in schools and whiteness culture
- student voice and authentic inclusion
- bringing social justice into the daytime curriculum
- Black Lives Matter as a true activist district-wide initiative
- global conflicts and immigration as teaching topics
It's a wonderfully well-organized and well curated series of essays by leading thinkers and educators currently in the field (it came out in 2019) and while it was collecting thoughts around the divisiveness following the 2016 presidential election and rise of protests for black lives, it includes evergreen topics and approaches that school workers, teachers, administrators and district leaders can all benefit from.
Topics considered include:
- race
- class
- parental engagement
- prisons, both their role in communities and the school-to-prison pipeline and discipline's role
- climate science and climate justice
- sexism and sexual harassment
- gender identity and teaching trans kids
- including black boys and men in education
- getting voices and parental input from black families
- representation in books and teaching materials, Asian visibility
- teaching and inclusiveness with Muslim communities
- trauma and empathy as institutions
- examining 'norms' in schools and whiteness culture
- student voice and authentic inclusion
- bringing social justice into the daytime curriculum
- Black Lives Matter as a true activist district-wide initiative
- global conflicts and immigration as teaching topics
February 14, 2021
Lisa Delpit has collected insightful and relevant snapshots of various classroom experiences to challenge educators, leadership teams, and students alike. Worthy of reading if only to make sure we remember the crucial lessons at a time when it is raining fire (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=RDy...). For my friends teaching in the US, this comes highly recommended as the context is, of course, North American.
This multimodal and polyvocal depository of pedagogical wisdom asserts a few important takeaways:
1. We need to be part of and change oppressive systems from the inside.
2. We need to embrace our own identities and inherent humanity to empathise with our students.
3. We need to put the students in the centre through inquiry-based teaching and learning.
4. To change hearts and open minds, we need to meet the students where they are. Don’t “save” them, make them feel safe.
I have to admit, it was heartbreaking (if not infuriating) to read how broken the US educational system is. And as usual, teachers are going above and beyond reminding me how much this is a calling. The proverbial planting of a tree under whose shade other generations will rest.
I’m also wondering if there’s a version that can be written for the 3rd culture kids who learn from our international classrooms.
This multimodal and polyvocal depository of pedagogical wisdom asserts a few important takeaways:
1. We need to be part of and change oppressive systems from the inside.
2. We need to embrace our own identities and inherent humanity to empathise with our students.
3. We need to put the students in the centre through inquiry-based teaching and learning.
4. To change hearts and open minds, we need to meet the students where they are. Don’t “save” them, make them feel safe.
I have to admit, it was heartbreaking (if not infuriating) to read how broken the US educational system is. And as usual, teachers are going above and beyond reminding me how much this is a calling. The proverbial planting of a tree under whose shade other generations will rest.
I’m also wondering if there’s a version that can be written for the 3rd culture kids who learn from our international classrooms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2024
Well I think this is a timely time to post my review on this book. It’s a great read for classroom educators, and even as a home educator, I learned a lot and got some great ideas. This book is a collection of essays from educators discussing how to talk about important topics in schools like politics, race, sex, gender, climate, and more. I picked it up thinking it was a newer book, but it was actually written in 2019, so it felt slightly outdated even though it wasn’t even written that long ago, and wished that there could have been some new essays added to it to make it feel more up to date with today’s cultural climate post-covid. I think there was some great messaging and ideas for teachers in here, but I will criticize that most of these ideas took place in VERY liberal cities where there was little chance of much parental push back and in communities where these values are already important to them. I would be interested to see how these concepts would translate to more of our red state or even swing state America because that’s where we truly need this type of education. How do teachers get through to that community and discuss these topics without getting shut down? Regardless, I still believe this was a great read and would recommend.
May 18, 2021
I thought this collection of essays had some excellent points, overall to think about, but like many education books, I wanted more “to do” than “to think.” I love list of suggested method to prevent hate activity on a campus and the recommended list to create classroom ethos. I also liked that the book was broken up into sections based on race, gender, culture, safety, etc. to thematically organize the essays. I loved that they were all written by educators, for educators. I think this really is a 3.5, but I would love to see more concrete data and logos for what they do in their classrooms and its effectiveness. I absolutely loved the Syria chapter and its message that elementary teachers can help shape the hearts of children to promote change and see injustices instead of keeping our children in a bubble. I loved it!
“No matter what our politics are— standing up against hate— and for learning— is the basic work of education.”
“There is only one way to begin: we open our eyes. We pay attention. We’re astonished at the beauty in every direction as well as the unnecessary suffering on all sides.”
“No matter what our politics are— standing up against hate— and for learning— is the basic work of education.”
“There is only one way to begin: we open our eyes. We pay attention. We’re astonished at the beauty in every direction as well as the unnecessary suffering on all sides.”
January 23, 2021
A few years ago I went back to school to add a teaching certificate to my English degree. While I am not currently using my teaching license, I enjoy reading books about teaching and learning. This book is a collection of essays on how to approach difficult topics in the classroom. Many of them are written with boots on the ground, though not all. The essays address politics, race, safety, gender, etc. One of the most insightful chapters was written by a teacher who was teaching and also working on a masters degree in Houston when Hurricane Harvey destroyed all his worldly possessions. He shared his experience of being unable to focus or participate or accomplish any school-related work. It was an aha moment of understanding how children in youth in distressing life situations, which may be far more permanent than his was, could possibly be sitting in classrooms, unengaged, even when encouraged to participate in interesting lessons. They simply are not able, he learned.
A nice collection from varying perspectives.
A nice collection from varying perspectives.
January 1, 2022
This collection of essays inspired me to reflect on my teaching and do better during a time when very little is getting me excited about my job.
I like that it was organized by theme and had such a wide range of educators and activists from around the country as the contributing authors. About one essay per section fell a little flat for me, not saying anything particularly new. But I also recognize that I read a lot about social issues and education, so that shouldn't have been a surprise. Lots of teachers may pick up this book who have less experience and content knowledge around some issues, so I'm glad it consistently covered the basics. And a common complaint in books about education is the question, "Ok, but like...what do I do in my classroom with this?" Since so many essays were written by current teachers, they often were examples of what they had recently done and how it went. In an era where it feels like every person out there is incredibly critical of what's happening in public schools, I really appreciated specific examples of things going well in the classroom.
I like that it was organized by theme and had such a wide range of educators and activists from around the country as the contributing authors. About one essay per section fell a little flat for me, not saying anything particularly new. But I also recognize that I read a lot about social issues and education, so that shouldn't have been a surprise. Lots of teachers may pick up this book who have less experience and content knowledge around some issues, so I'm glad it consistently covered the basics. And a common complaint in books about education is the question, "Ok, but like...what do I do in my classroom with this?" Since so many essays were written by current teachers, they often were examples of what they had recently done and how it went. In an era where it feels like every person out there is incredibly critical of what's happening in public schools, I really appreciated specific examples of things going well in the classroom.
July 31, 2025
Read this with a group of teachers as a summer book club. My biggest take away was to try to see each student and not prejudge them. Also, I do not live their lives or their perspectives and so it was good to hear from those who have lives and perspectives different than my own. I don't necessarily agree with all that the teachers did in their classrooms. I think sometimes they crossed the line between teaching children to be critical thinkers to preaching or pushing their perceptions onto the students. Student activism is good if they are the instigators, but several of the educators in this book seemed to push their activism onto the students. Someday we'll hopefully live in a world where class and racial and gender differences aren't important and we can just see each other as fellow humans and show grace and kindness. Until then, it is important to try to see through the other's eyes.
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January 17, 2020I was really disappointed. I was hoping for practical advice. Fewer than half the contributors are current classroom teachers, so the advice (where it, in lieu of prescription) is to be found is not from on the ground experience, but from nice ideas. I'd love to have a justice circle. Kids can't logistically sit in a circle in my class due to space when and if they come, and the interesting ideas around discourse presume a supportive admin and an infrastructure that doesn't drown us in standardized testing. In short, I was hoping for ideas and a shot in the arm to propel me into next semester and (with 1 or 2 exceptions) this served me about as well as a mandated PD in which compliance mattered over engagement
November 9, 2023
Great book if you are interested in education or a current or future teacher. I had to read this for a class in college, but I was really glad I did.
I picked up a highlighter to start annotating after the first page, which I NEVER do for books, but there were just too many good quotes to not highlight.
Big fan of the ideas of restorative justice presented in the book, definitely has left me thinking for quite some time.
I find it utterly ironic that one of the big themes prevalent in the Climate Change section is that there are few sources without and within schools on the topic. (This is the smallest section in the book with two studies).
Great book! Check it out if you are interested in the education system, or want to/are/were a teacher.
I picked up a highlighter to start annotating after the first page, which I NEVER do for books, but there were just too many good quotes to not highlight.
Big fan of the ideas of restorative justice presented in the book, definitely has left me thinking for quite some time.
I find it utterly ironic that one of the big themes prevalent in the Climate Change section is that there are few sources without and within schools on the topic. (This is the smallest section in the book with two studies).
Great book! Check it out if you are interested in the education system, or want to/are/were a teacher.
January 18, 2025
Things to consider when reading this book: where do the contributors teach? Do they teach and whom? With most contributors (who currently teach k-12) teaching in private or charter progressive schools in progressive communities, the lofty ideals put forth are more easily attainted than in public schools, particularly title 1 schools. It is true that contributors who are now university teachers may have taught in title 1 schools in the past, the world is vastly changed since they left the k-12 classroom. I’m not arguing that the ideals put forth in this book or wrong or bad, quite the opposite. But what I am suggesting is that there is a stark difference in the ideal and reality and the ideal is often only for those who can afford it.
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