Abstract
The inequality and discrimination on race, ethnicity, social class, language use, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and culture have contributed to social justice issues in the U.S. for years. Creating an inclusive, respectful, and equitable learning environment is critical for both teachers and students in K-12 education. Do K-12 teachers understand the meaning and the importance of social justice? How will they incorporate social justice into their teaching? The goal of this chapter was to explore 34 teacher candidates' perspectives on social justice and their plans to implement social justice in teaching in the future. Significant emergent themes from the findings regarding the definitions and the implementation of social justice in teaching were presented. Recommendations for educators and future researchers were included.
TopBackground
Many researchers have studied social justice in the past 15 years (e.g., Ahmed, 2020; Bartell, 2013; Behizadeh et al., 2019; Boylan & Woolsey, 2015; Burns, et al., 2023; Gutstein, 2003; Jacobs & Perez, 2023; Liu et al., 2022; Pantic et al., 2019; Reagan & Hambacher, 2021; Robinson & Bell, 1978; Shyman, 2015; Shriberg et al., 2008). Some researchers focused on the theories and definitions of social justice. Others developed teaching practices for social justice. Robinson and Bell (1978) noted that “there is a practical need to know how much equality and inequality for whom, compared to whom, under what conditions, will be justified or tolerated by members of a society” (p.126). In the following, major theories, definitions, and practices of social justice were examined.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Social Justice: A philosophy, an approach, and actions that embody treating all people with fairness, respect, dignity, and generosity ( Nieto & Bode, 2018 , p.8).
Social Justice Standards: Standards and domains establishing for anti-bias education at every stage of K-12 instruction.
Inclusive Education: All children of all backgrounds have the fair chance to learn at schools.
Activism: The policies or actions to bring about social and political changes.
Multicultural Education: Education or teaching that involves students from different cultural backgrounds and diversity.
Equality: Being equal in status, rights, and opportunities.
Future Me: A website for people to write a letter to their future self and get a reflection in future.
Diversity: Involving people from different cultures, ethnicities, genders, and background.