Commission Co-Chairs:
Jamal Cooks, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Tara Star Johnson, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Commission Liaison:
David Kirkland, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Mission:
The work of the commission is grounded in the belief that it is impossible to make sense of the field of English language arts without using gender, race, and class as central categories of description and analysis. The challenge before the Commission is to develop and uncover models of teaching that are flexible enough to capture and reflect the ways these elements function together; to determine how teachers in English language arts see themselves and others; and to delineate the opportunities for transformation, constructive growth, and change in their profession.
Current and Proposed Projects:
- We propose to gather stories of social justice in the English language arts classroom and teacher education programs. Using myriad publication outlets, we wish to discuss how voices and perspectives of teacher educators and teachers can influence positive change and welcome all into an accepting educational community.
- We welcome opportunities to speak on issues of social justice, especially at national conferences.
- We continue to affect change through NCTE resolutions like the 2010 Resolution on Social Justice in Literacy Education and the 2011 Resolution on Confronting Bullying and Harassment.