
Taking Back Control
African Canadian Women Teachers' Lives and Practice
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An alternative pedagogical perspective toward the education of Black children is explored through the narratives of five African Canadian women teachers.
Description
Taking Back Control is a ground-breaking investigation of the world and consciousness of five African Canadian women teachers. Their rich, textured narratives explore the contradictions in North American and "Western" education and the need for alternative standpoints and transformative strategies. Their engaged vision is presented as a means to discuss the limitations and possibilities of oppositional "minority" teacher standpoints in the mainstream, as well as alternative pedagogical strategies. Henry also discusses the literacy strategies employed in creating an environment in which African Canadian pupils can develop literacy skills and critically understand their identities as people of African heritage in North American society. She raises important issues for thinking about teaching from critical, informed, anti-racist perspectives.
Annette Henry is Associate Professor of Education at University of Illinois at Chicago.
Reviews
"This book is superbly written and interesting to read. The framing of the text and the articulate development of a number of theoretical underpinnings clearly establish its intellectual contribution. Throughout Henry creates and weaves a texture that illustrates the relationship of her theorizing to previous understandings of Afrocentric and womanist views. This in itself (the application of education to such stances) is new; that she goes on to embellish and build upon such theory is even more exciting. " — Toni C. King, Denison University
"This book will prove vital to those who seek to understand how teachers conceptualize their work. We are just beginning to get information on how teachers of color view themselves, and this book provides that. I know of no competing book. The classroom interaction sections are extremely important and will be unique in the literature. " — Lisa Delpit, Georgia State University