Social Justice in the Classroom

In the article “Teaching for Social Justice”, there was a paragraph that stated:


“So what are social justice teachers - those who care about nurturing all children and who are enraged at the prospect of students dying young, going hungry, or living meaningless and despairing lives - to do? How can they go against the grain and use their classrooms to work in the service of their students?”(article)

Before reading these articles I really had never been faced with the issue of social justice in the classroom. This paragraph really made me look at it in depth. The other article stated “Rethinking Our Classroom is not about what we cannot do; it’s about what we can do.” The article “Creating Classrooms for equity and Social Justice” explain that it is argues that classroom practice should be critical, anti-racist, experimental, hopeful, academically rigorous, and culturally sensitive. I think it is really important as a teacher to take part in social justice.

Teachers need to realize that it is imperative to look at outside issues, things that they may not be dealing with in the class. It is important for students to be educated on social justice issues as well. I believe that trying to promote social justice in the classroom could create some difficulties but it is something that should be done. Teachers have to realize that each child is different. They all come from different backgrounds and families. Not all students will have the same needs and a teacher needs to make themselves away of that. Another thing I learned is that not everyone you work with may feel the same way with you and that could create obstacles. It is important to build relationships with parents and people in the community.