Toward Anti-Oppressive Teaching: Designing and Using Simulated Encounters

Toward Anti-Oppressive Teaching prepares preservice teachers for diverse classroom settings using live-actor simulations, empowering them to become more culturally responsive. The book highlights the promise of these encounters to build on traditional approaches to educating future teachers about culture, power, and systems of oppression. It offers a rationale and theory behind the use of simulations, sample materials, and advice for addressing logistical and programmatic challenges.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2020
Publisher: Harvard Educational Publishing Group

Toward Anti-Oppressive Teaching is a groundbreaking approach to preparing preservice teachers for diverse classroom settings using live-actor simulations. Drawing from the SHIFT Project at Vanderbilt University, the book emphasizes the potential of these encounters to empower preservice teachers to become more culturally responsive. Despite the widespread recognition of the importance of educating novice teachers in culturally responsive pedagogy, few teaching candidates have the opportunity to fully explore, reflect upon, and internalize these lessons before entering the classroom. As a result, new teachers often lack the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively address real-life dilemmas of difference and inequity in K-12 schools.

The book showcases how carefully crafted encounters, when integrated as part of a well-designed instructional cycle, can enhance traditional approaches to educating future teachers about culture, power, and systems of oppression. It is ambitious in scope, providing a rationale and theoretical foundation for the use of this new approach while demonstrating how teacher educators are employing, adapting, and designing simulations to align with the specific context of their teaching programs. The authors include sample simulation materials and offer practical advice for overcoming common logistical and programmatic challenges associated with adopting this innovative practice, including considerations for hiring, training, and supporting actors.

Filled with engaging examples and testimonials from students who have participated in the program, Toward Anti-Oppressive Teaching offers guiding principles and practical suggestions while providing a valuable entry point for those interested in exploring a fresh approach to addressing a longstanding challenge in teacher education.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 153 x 227 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682535653