Learning from the Student's Perspective

Authored by Cook-Sather, Alison; Clarke, Brandon; Condon, Daniel; Cushman, Kathleen; Demetriou, Helen; Easton, Lois

"Alison Cook-Sather and colleagues escort us into a space of teaching and learning where students' voices meet demands for human rights; where educator wisdom joins with struggles for justice. Across these pages, responsibility for teaching and learning is infused with pleasure and curiosity, appetite and community, worries about the world and a vibrant sense of what could be. Despite the structural betrayal of youth in so many contexts, and because of the amazing brilliance of so many of their educators, there remains a deep commitment to educational justice. Alison Cook-Sather and her coauthors have constructed a text of radical imagination and radical utility. These writers take as foundational that youth and educators deserve, and can create, schools of justice, imagination and wonder. And then they show us how." —Michelle Fine, co-author of Revolutionizing Education: Youth Participatory Action Research in Motion "Dr. Cook-Sather's book is an essential text in today's educational climate: it inspires and connects readers to the necessity of incorporating student voice in the classroom. Learning from the Student's Perspective provides thoughtful analysis and intriguing examples to demonstrate and celebrate the ways developing relationships and listening to our students can engage us all in the learning process. All educators—new and experienced—will benefit from the theory presented and its clear connection to our everyday practice." —Ted Domers, social studies teacher, Freire Charter School, Philadelphia, PA "This ground-breaking book establishes Alison Cook-Sather's place amongst international leaders in the field of student participation in schools. Drawing on the perspectives of students from a wide range of circumstances, the work of beginning and experienced teachers, and extensive research literature to which she, herself, is an important contributor, Alison Cook-Sather provides an engaging and accessible blend of practical insight, theoretical stimulation and inspirational commitment." —Professor Michael Fielding, Institute of Education, University of London, UK "In contrast to the growing trend of top-down reforms, Cook-Sather has brought together colleagues and students to remind us that improving how we teach must involve learning from those whom we are teaching. Filled with rich insights from students and creative resources for educators, this important new book highlights the critical role that student voices can play in transforming schools and teaching, and shows us how to make that happen." —Kevin K. Kumashiro, author of The Seduction of Common Sense: How the Right Has Framed the Debate on America's Schools "Cook-Sather makes the case that the best teachers of teachers are in fact the students with whom they work. After reading this book, I renewed my efforts to include my students in important decisions that affect them." —Ben Daley, Chief Academic Officer, High Tech High, San Diego, CA

• Introduction Learning from the Student’s Perspective: Why It’s Important, What to Expect, and Important Guidelines; Part I Students’ Perspectives on Effective Classroom Practice; Chapter 1 Knowing Students, Jossi Fritz-Mauer, Jessica Mitra Mausner; Chapter 2 Creating and Maintaining a Positive Classroom Environment, Jossi Fritz-Mauer, Jessica Mitra Mausner; Chapter 3 Designing Engaging Lessons, Jossi Fritz-Mauer, Jessica Mitra Mausner; Chapter 4 Respect, Jossi Fritz-Mauer, Jessica Mitra Mausner; Chapter 5 Responsibility, Jossi Fritz-Mauer, Jessica Mitra Mausner; Part II Strategies for Learning from Students’ Perspectives; Chapter 6 Accessing Students’ Perspectives through Three Forms of Consultation, Helen Demetriou; Chapter 7 Accessing Students’ Perspectives through Discussion Groups and Questionnaires, Kathleen Cushman; Part III Listening in Action: Educators Learning from Students’ Perspectives; Chapter 8 Learning to Be Heard and Learning to Listen, Darla Himeles; Chapter 9 Rethinking Listening to Students, Brandon Clarke; Chapter 10 Beyond “Wiggle Room”, Marsha Rosenzweig Pincus; Chapter 11 Student Voice on a High School Decisionmaking Team, Peter M. Evans; Chapter 12 A Schoolwide Model for Student Voice in Curriculum Development and Teacher Preparation, Lois Easton, Daniel Condon; Chapter 13 Students E-Mailing Prospective Teachers; Chapter 14 Students Mentoring Student Teachers, Bernadette Youens; Part IV Conclusions; Chapter 15 Returning to Perspective and Taking Action; Chapter 16 Translating Schools and Educators;