Latinx Experiences in U.S. Schools

In this volume, Latinx students, teachers, teacher educators, and education allies in Latinx communities share the ways in which hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric has impacted Latinx educational experiences. This book emphasizes acts of courage, community organization, and transformation as these stakeholders have risen into leadership positions.

This edited volume brings together voices of Latinx students, teachers, teacher educators, and education allies in Latinx communities to reveal ways in which today’s sociopolitical context has given rise to politically-sanctioned hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric. Contributors—key stakeholders in the education of immigrant Latinx children, youth, and college students—share how this rhetoric has exacerbated existing systemic injustices within K-Higher Education. They draw attention to counternarratives that speak to leadership and strength of community. Contributors include high school and college students and faculty, community organizers, and early career academics, whose voices are too often underrepresented in academic conversations. This book highlights professional and personal acts of courage, community organization, and the transformation of students and educators who are stepping into leadership roles to affect change. Understanding that teaching and learning are political acts, we call all those vested in Latinx communities to engage in small and large acts of agency to collectively impact change in our K-Higher Education systems.

Introduction

Margarita Jimenez-Silva & Janine Bempechat

Section I: Voices of Students

Introduction: My Experience at the City Council Meeting, Joey Luevanos

Chapter 1: “I don't like the way he acts with Mexicans:” An Analysis of Persuasive Pre-Writing Sessions with Fifth-Grade Bilingual Latinx Students, Evelyn Baca

Chapter 2: “What Do You Mean, You Feel Latina?:” Use of Pan-Ethnic Identity Labels Among Middle School Bilingual Youth, Jenny Jacobs

Chapter 3: “Why isn’t Cinco de Mayo 365 days a year!” Culturally Sustaining Practices in an Age of Distrust, Orlando Carreon

Section II: Voices of Teachers

Introduction: The Making of a Radical Educator, Melody Esqueda

Chapter 4: Rising Up to Lead: A Teacher's Path from the Classroom to City Hall, Laura Gomez & Ruth Luevanos

Chapter 5: Unshifting Practices and Perspectives: Disrupting the Cycle through Anti-Racist Pedagogy, Christine Montecillo Leider, Megan Schantz, & Molly Ross

Chapter 6: A Funny Thing Happens on the Way to the Classroom…: Positioning Latinx Students, Families, and Teachers as Knowers while Promoting Cultural Competence for Culturally Relevant Pedagogy through Study Abroad in Chile, Kenny Varner

Section III: Voices of Teacher Educators

Introduction: The Journey from Student to Teacher to Teacher Educator: A Cry for Change, Ofelia Schepers

Chapter 7: Educating Teachers to Work with Latino Children and Families in Challenging Socio-Political Contexts and Times, Eleanora Villegas-Reimers

Chapter 8: What Counts as Official Knowledge?: Pursuing Accreditation in a Post-Truth Era, Jaclyn Caires-Hurley, Anne Ittner, & Andrea Emerson

Chapter 9: Preparing Bilingual Teachers through a Bilingual Undergraduate Teacher Corps: Nidos de Lengua y Comunidad, Nadeen Ruiz, Margarita Jimenez-Silva, & Samantha Smith

Section IV: Voices of Education Allies

Introduction: Passion, Resilience, Community, and Education: Core Values as Educational Allies, Karen Kay

Chapter 10: Undocu-Ally Trainings: Reducing Stigma and Prejudice via Educational Interventions, Jesus Cisneros

Chapter 11: Voces Unidas: Advocating for Emergent Bilinguals while Navigating Arizona’s Socio-Political Context, Ashley Coughlin, Margarita Jimenez-Silva, & Karen Guerrero

Chapter 12: Preparing Teachers to be Allies in Addressing Mental Health with K-12 Students, Gabriella Luu

Call to Action: Conclusion

El Movimiento and the Imperative to Sustain Relationships and Build Community

Patricia Quijada Cererer & Leticia Alvarez Gutiérrez