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Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica - Conscious Classrooms Review
Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Education, Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica (left), recently co-authored the book Conscious Classrooms with Allison Briceño (right), Associate Professor of Education at San Jose State University. The book was reviewed on The California Reader, with the reviewer saying:
The classroom library was beautiful. Brightly colored and meticulously labeled bins lined the shelves. I sat next to a young student as she carefully thumbed through the books, taking in the illustrations as she turned the crisp pages. Did she notice what I did? Where were the books that had characters that looked like her, that shared her culture, that celebrated her traditions? Where were the books that reflected her very own existence? They were missing and because of that, so was the opportunity to validate her voice and experiences. That was the first memory that came to mind as I read Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Equity, and Justice. You may have the most beautifully appointed classroom library, but if you want it to truly reflect each of your students, I highly recommend you read Briceño and Rodriguez-Mojica’s book.
Books are at the heart of instruction, and we can use them in ways that move us far beyond representation. The authors teach us how. They do an outstanding job helping us reflect on our own beliefs, shift our mindsets, and develop our critical consciousness. We consider the role of power, learn how to rethink schooling, and are prompted to better align our philosophies with our pedagogy.
Each chapter begins with a section on big ideas. The ideas are developed through descriptions, examples, and research. Following that are templates and tools that you could use today to develop a diverse classroom library and curriculum. The chapters also include surveys and lists to help you integrate your learning with your practice. Each chapter seamlessly flows into the next and ends with teachers sharing their own powerful experiences.
I absolutely loved the nine criteria for selecting books, the tips for using diverse books across the curriculum, and the ideas for navigating tricky student responses. I really appreciated the “Tools to Try” sections that included items such as a classroom library audit, a diverse text lesson plan template, discussion prompting cards, and so much more! The teacher testimonies, in the “Voices from the Field” sections are informational and enlightening.
Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Equity, and Justice has come at a critical time in education. As we witness a paradigm shift, as we work to ensure greater access and equity in our classrooms and communities, we need this book help us navigate what has been clearly missing. I recommend this book to administrators and educators who want to be the change agents, the leaders, and the ones who want to ensure that every student has an experience with text that supports their social, emotional, academic, and identity advancement. This is a perfect book for professional development. If you are willing to put in the hard work and to confront what may be uncomfortable for the benefit of your students, know that you are not alone. As the authors write, "This is hard work and we are here to support you on your journey" (p. 11). This book will help you take the first step!
Here is the text of the review, which was published in The California Reader.