Against Common Sense: Teaching and Learning Toward Social Justice

Kevin K. Kumashiro is the founding chair of Education Deans for Justice and Equity and the award-winning author or editor of 10 books on education and justice.

Praise for the 20th Anniversary Fourth Edition:“Against Common Sense provides a much-needed perspective in an era when so many seek to deny students the right to a truthful and honest education. All of our children—regardless of their race or ZIP code, whether Native or newcomer—deserve classrooms that fight against rather than reinforce oppression. This book provides educators with a clear vision of anti-oppressive education and concrete examples of how to make that vision a reality across the curriculum.”Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association“Twenty years on, Kevin Kumashiro continues the charge in teacher education to resist the “common sense” of the state. In these troubling times, I am overjoyed that he continues such a mission with clarity, intent and unapologetic fervor. His efforts should be considered part of the vanguard of what we know should be done in teacher education.”David Stovall, author of Born Out of Struggle: Critical Race Theory, School Creation, and the Politics of Interruption“Written by one of the most powerful thinkers of our time, Against Common Sense 20th Anniversary Edition takes on censorship and attacks on democracy. Kumashiro deftly shows how power is masked when certain approaches to teaching and learning are accepted as common sense while others are dismissed, ridiculed, and silenced. Rather than prescribing any set of practices, this outstanding book is designed to challenge teachers to think deeply about the political and social underpinnings of their practice.”Christine Sleeter, author of Critical Race Theory and its Critics and Family History in Black and WhitePraise for previous editions:“Rarely does a book have the ability to capture the wide audience within the field of education; however, teachers, teacher educators, and researchers alike will find Against Common Sense a thoughtful and applicable volume.”Harvard Educational Review“This book is an insightful and provocative must-read for all pre-service teachers, teacher educators, in-service teachers, and graduate students implementing teaching education programs. Too bad it wasn’t written sooner.”Radical Teacher“Full of original insights and cutting-edge ideas, Against Common Sense presents a compelling case and a clear moral vision for anti-oppressive education. Enriched by Kumashiro’s experiences as a teacher and in-depth examples from different curricular areas, this book is essential for anyone interested in understanding what is entailed and what it means to teach for social justice.”Michele Foster, author of Black Teachers on Teaching“An intellectually sound and inspiring work. Kumashiro brilliantly integrates theory and practice and provides teachers with a model not only for social justice but student achievement as well. This book is a must-read for all educators who care about students, equity, and democracy.”Jacqueline Jordan Irvine, author of Educating Teachers for Diversity: Seeing with a Cultural Eye“Kevin Kumashiro provides one of those rare voices for social justice education that is challenging, prophetic, and hopeful. Kumashiro’s scholarship provides inspiration and affirmation for critical educators to advance solidarity in the struggle for justice. This evocative text will strengthen your resolve to teach prophetically.”Patrick Slattery, author of Curriculum Development in the Postmodern Era

• Introduction to the 20th Anniversary Fourth Edition Part I: Movements toward Anti-Oppressive Teacher Education 1. Three Teacher Images in U.S. Teacher-Education Programs 2. Preparing Teachers for Crisis: A Sample Lesson 3. Preparing Teachers for Uncertainty: A Sample Lesson 4. Preparing Teachers for Healing: A Conversation with Buddhism 5. Preparing Teachers for Activism: A Reflection on Things Queer Part II: Preparing Anti-Oppressive Teachers in Six Disciplines 6. Examples from Social Studies 7. Examples from Reading and Writing 8. Examples from Music and Dance 9. Examples from "Foreign" Languages 10. Examples from the Natural Sciences 11. Examples from Mathematics 12. Conclusion: With Hope 13. Afterword, by William F. Pinar