PRODUCTS

Recipes of Motherhood: Families, Communities, and the Power of Food Narratives delves into the powerful connections between food, culture, and motherhood within the demanding context of higher education. This thought-provoking volume, edited by Mila Zhu and Sarah Morrison, brings together diverse voices of academic mothers who share how food practices shape, sustain, and empower their lives as they navigate the complex terrain of career, family, and cultural identity.

Drawing from personal narratives, case studies, and interdisciplinary research, Recipes of Motherhood illuminates the ways in which food serves as more than sustenance; it becomes a source of resilience, a tool for community-building, and a means of preserving cultural heritage. The academic mothers in this volume reveal how food acts as a metaphor and medium for navigating life’s challenges, allowing them to bridge their personal and professional identities. From adapting family recipes to sharing meals that create community, each story uncovers the unique strategies academic mothers use to sustain themselves and those around them in an environment that can often feel isolating. Grounded in feminist theory, food studies, and cultural memory, this book highlights how food stories are deeply intertwined with questions of gender, tradition, and self-identity. Chapters explore themes such as the symbolic role of food in cultural heritage, food as a form of resistance to institutional expectations, and culinary traditions as a way to build solidarity among women in academia. Through these narratives, Recipes of Motherhood provides a nuanced understanding of how food can act as both a grounding force and a form of empowerment in academic mothers’ lives. With its interdisciplinary approach, the book appeals not only to scholars in cultural studies, food studies, and gender studies but also to students, educators, and anyone interested in the transformative power of food. Readers will find in these pages a rich tapestry of stories that inspire, educate, and challenge traditional ideas about motherhood and academia.

Perfect for academic courses and personal reading alike, the volume offers insight into how food serves as a vital element in the journey of academic mothers, helping them navigate the intersections of personal identity, professional resilience, and cultural expression. This volume invites readers to savor the complexities of academic motherhood through the lens of food and to consider how everyday acts of cooking and sharing meals can hold deep significance in our lives and our communities.

Whether you are a mother, an educator, or simply someone interested in the stories that food can tell, Recipes of Motherhood is a captivating exploration of how culinary practices shape our relationships, our work, and our sense of self. Join us in celebrating the resilience, creativity, and heritage of academic mothers whose food stories nourish not only their families but also the broader academic community.

Perfect for courses such as: Gender Studies / Women’s Studies – Motherhood and Identity; Food Studies – Cultural Narratives in Food Practices; Education Studies – Women in Academia: Challenges and Resilience; Sociology – Family and Society: Gender Roles and Cultural Heritage; Anthropology – Food, Culture, and Identity; Cultural Studies – Folklore, Tradition, and Modern Identities; Parenting and Family Studies – Motherhood and Work-Life Balance; Interdisciplinary Studies – Food as Narrative and Social Practice; Feminist Theory – Intersectionality of Motherhood, Career, and Culture; Psychology of Women – Resilience and Identity in Motherhood

An Introduction to Critical Autoethnography and Education: The Vulnerable Researcher examines the practice of critical autoethnography, which combines critical pedagogy, autoethnography, and often, critical ethnography, as a research methodology for conducting research in vulnerable communities without establishing hierarchical systems. Researchers who work collaboratively with participants in these communities can provide a means for often-unheard voices to reach wider audiences.

Researchers function as collaborators/participants in the research, asking themselves the same questions they ask the other participants in the research. This methodology requires reflection and introspection, as researchers examine the Self and the complexities of their cultural perspectives, whether visible or invisible, hidden beneath layers of socially constructed beliefs and behaviors. This interrogation and problematization of words and actions surpasses chronological and supposedly objective recounting of autobiography, leading to a deep understanding of the sociocultural, socioeconomic, political, and historical beliefs that created their ways of understanding and navigating the world. Traditional research situates researchers as experts. Pushing against existing norms, critical autoethnography negates hierarchical thinking, believing all collaborators co-construct equally valuable knowledge and meaning.

Accessible to diverse audiences, this book would be appropriate in graduate qualitative methods or foundations courses, at introductory or advanced levels. It would also be a good addition to any undergraduate courses preparing students to conduct research in vulnerable communities.

Perfect for courses such as: Qualitative Research Methods I | Qualitative Research Methods II | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | Social Justice in Education Research | Case Study | Ethnographic Research in Education | Anthropology in Education | Critical Qualitative Inquiry | Multicultural Research Methods

Promoting a growth mindset in PreK-12 schools is a valuable educational trend, based on the idea that students who believe they can grow and improve will succeed more easily. However, when students struggle academically, there’s often an undergirded assumption that they—and sometimes their families—are not trying hard enough or they just need to fit into a standardized mold. This deficit thinking places blame on students’ perceived limitations and can lead to lower expectations or biases toward students who come from diversified backgrounds, encompassing ability, socioeconomic status, race, language, gender, or culture. As an alternative approach, this book promotes the universal adoption of Asset-Based Practices (ABPs). ABPs encourage educators to see and honor the strengths in each student’s identity. ABPs shift our focus to the assets that students and families bring into the classroom, viewing differences as resources rather than obstacles. This means recognizing and building on students’ cultural, linguistic, and community-based knowledge to make learning richer and more inclusive for everyone.

Implementing an asset-based approach can transform our classrooms. Research shows that students perform better and feel more motivated when they’re recognized and valued for who they are. Bringing students’ lived experiences into the curriculum can help them develop positive identities and a stronger sense of belonging, which boosts their academic and social growth. Instead of focusing on “fixing” students, ABPs ask us to adapt our teaching to connect with students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences, coupled with recognizing the wealth of knowledge that students bring from their families and communities.

Switching to an asset-based approach helps us move away from simply encouraging perseverance or grit in students. Instead, it invites us to take responsibility for creating an environment where every student feels they belong and can succeed. With ABPs, we’re able to create more inclusive and affirming classrooms for all students, where their identities are seen as strengths, not obstacles, and where their cultural, linguistic, and community knowledge is a foundation for learning.

Innovative and creative methodologies and practices that aspiring and practicing educators can use right away are the primary focus of this book. Because the editors and contributors are former or current PreK-12 practitioners, and many are also educational scholars, this book is written for a broad educational audience. Moving from Trendy Growth in Favor of Asset-Based Mindsets is for both preservice and practicing teachers across PreK-12 grade levels, school types, and geographic regions looking to improve their practice. To accomplish this, the editors and contributors provide entry points for transforming the educational landscape in favor of liberatory, asset-based practices in PreK-12 schools.

Additionally, this book is ideal for teacher and administrator preparation programs, as well as PreK-12 professional development, because it guides readers through theoretical and empirical discussions, supported by hands-on applications that enable real-time application, and concludes with interactive features, like case studies, extension activities, and discussion prompts.

In Advancing Special Education Through Improvement Science: A Practical Guide, educators, administrators, and policymakers will find a comprehensive resource designed to enhance the effectiveness and equity of special education services. This book bridges the gap between theory and practice, providing a structured approach to implementing improvement science in the context of special education. The ultimate goal is to create a more inclusive and effective educational environment for students with disabilities. Improvement science is a methodical approach to identifying, testing, and refining practices to achieve better outcomes. Rooted in principles of continuous improvement, it focuses on understanding the complexities of educational systems and leveraging data-driven decision-making to foster meaningful change. This guide demonstrates how the principles of improvement science can be applied specifically to the field of special education, offering practical strategies and real-world examples that illustrate successful implementation.

Advancing Special Education Through Improvement Science emphasizes the critical role of data in driving improvement efforts. The book provides detailed guidance on how to collect, analyze, and use data to inform decision-making. It also addresses common challenges in data collection and analysis, offering practical solutions to overcome these obstacles. By focusing on the importance of data, this guide empowers educators to make evidence-based decisions that lead to measurable improvements in student outcomes. One of the core strengths of this book is its focus on collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Effective improvement efforts require the involvement of teachers, administrators, students, and families. The book outlines strategies for building strong collaborative teams, fostering a culture of trust and shared responsibility, and ensuring that all voices are heard. By prioritizing collaboration, educators can create a more inclusive and supportive environment that benefits all students, particularly those with disabilities. Throughout the book, readers will find numerous case studies and examples of successful improvement efforts in special education. These real-world stories provide valuable insights into the challenges and successes experienced by educators who have implemented improvement science in their schools. By learning from these examples, readers can gain practical knowledge and inspiration for their own improvement initiatives.

Advancing Special Education Through Improvement Science also includes a variety of tools and resources to support educators in their improvement efforts. These resources include templates for data collection, checklists for implementing PDSA cycles, and guides for facilitating collaborative meetings. These practical tools are designed to make the process of implementing improvement science more manageable and accessible for busy educators. In the final chapters, Advancing Special Education Through Improvement Science addresses the importance of sustainability and scaling up successful practices. The book provides strategies for embedding improvement science into the fabric of school and district operations, ensuring that improvements are sustained over time and can be scaled to benefit more students. By focusing on sustainability, this guide helps educators create lasting change that continues to benefit students with disabilities long after initial improvement efforts have concluded. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, or policymaker, this guide will provide the tools and knowledge you need to advance special education through the power of improvement science.

Perfect for courses such as: Introduction to Special Education; Exceptional Children; Foundations of Special Education; Special Education Leadership; School Improvement and Reform

We Are the Children of the Corn/Somos Los Hija/os del Maíz: Husks of Hope, Resistance, and Latina/o Educational Success is a collection of empirical studies that explores the complex and multi-faceted journeys of Latina/o/x students. With maíz (corn) as the guiding symbol, this book incorporates indigenous teachings and knowledge to highlight the pillars and resources of support—referred to as “husks”—that nurture Latina/o students' growth, resilience, and achievement as they navigate the U.S. schooling system. This anthology offers examples that underscore the role of schools, families, and communities in shaping Latina/o students’ trajectories from pre-K to higher education. The volume builds upon the parent book, The Chicana/o/x Dream, by examining the intersectional experiences of Latina/o students in varied educational contexts, the resources they access within educational spaces, and their familial and community support systems. Using the Framework of Atravesada/o/xs Nepantleando (FAN), the authors in this anthology illustrate how Latina/o students become nepantlera/os—change agents who create and foster diverse cultural spaces and advocate for transformation. The book is organized around three themes: planting seeds to foster college access, cultivating students to foster college readiness, and harvesting to support college completion. Through these themes, the volume aims to empower educators, researchers, and policymakers to foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive school and community spaces that amplify Latina/o student voice and center their experiences.

We Are the Children of the Corn/Somos Los Hija/os del Maíz is a valuable contribution to the scholarship on the Latina/o/x student experience in the United States. It is the perfect text for a variety of courses in Ethnic Studies and Cultural Studies.

Centering Multilingual Learners in School Curriculum through Community Asset Mapping is written for educators working with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds. It presents and explores Community Asset Mapping (CAM) as a transformative pedagogical approach that values students’ lived experiences, cultural wealth, and linguistic repertoires as essential components of learning. It speaks to teachers who seek to integrate students’ strengths and assets into the curriculum while challenging hierarchical structures of knowledge and language within the education system.

Written by two multilingual language education professionals who draw upon their own educational journeys and rich, multifaceted experience working with multilingual learners, this book is also grounded in a post-qualitative research approach. It weaves together culturally responsive teaching, translanguaging, and community asset mapping as a co-learning practice, alongside a diverse range of critical theories and pedagogical approaches. This resource extends beyond academic scholarship; it engages with community-based initiatives, social entrepreneurship, and lived experiences to offer both a holistic perspective and a practical, action-oriented approach. Through this lens, the authors aim to equip educators with the tools to transform classrooms into more equitable and justice-driven learning spaces. Throughout the book, numerous examples and practical resources are offered to bring these ideas to life, demonstrating how CAM can be implemented in the classroom as a powerful and enriching teaching strategy.

More than just a resource, this book is a call to action—an invitation for educators to embark on a collaborative journey. It embraces vulnerability, emphasizes co-learning, and celebrates the communities that shape the work of language education professionals. Through this shared effort, the authors invite educators to join them in critically reimagining education and advocating for more equitable, asset-based practices that truly honor the voices and experiences of their students.

Perfect for courses such as: Multicultural and multilingual Education; Sociolinguistics; Methods and Materials in TESOL Education; Curriculum Design in Education or TESOL; Language, Culture and Society; Urban Education; Family Engagement in Education

Moments & Movements: Counterstories for Critical Asian American+ Studies in Education is a collection of counterstories born from community and shared commitments to challenge the ways diverse diasporas and experiences of people from the Asian continent and the Pacific Ocean are largely made invisible, silenced, and erased. By defying reductionist narratives, the collection highlights stories built upon generations of struggle, resistance, advocacy, and joy, that impart wisdom for the current moment and for Asian American+ movements in the future, particularly movements based in education. The book’s topics, located at the nexus of multiple and interconnected fields, such as education, race/ethnic studies, policy and community studies, have broad appeal to a cross-section of university academics; P-12 teachers and leaders; and community educators and activists.

Using the framing of Critical Asian American+ Studies, the chapters in this volume emphasize criticality as central to the work of educators committed to more just futures. The plus (+) symbol in “Asian American+” highlights the volume’s efforts at diverse inclusion and openness to various groups under a broad umbrella geographic category, including voices of various Pasifika, Arab and Middle Eastern communities, without eliding their distinct histories, cultures, politics, and experiences or erasing the tensions within and across the broader category of Asian American studies.

The book is organized thematically into four sections that reflect key moments in an ongoing movement. This organization acknowledges that readers may be at different points in their journeys towards developing more critical perspectives or knowledge of Asian American, Arab/Middle Eastern American, and Pasifika peoples’ experiences in education. The first section, "The Moment We Begin", focuses on foundational beginnings, telling stories of how the authors made important first steps in creating the change they wished to see in their educational spheres. The second section, "Building an Inclusive Movement", examines how educators sustain and deepen their work within and outside of classrooms. The third section, "Extending the Movement", then looks at Critical Asian American+ Studies outside of classrooms and schools by attending to educational leadership, families and teacher identities, policy arenas, and educational, cultural, and community activism. Finally, in the fourth section, "Envisioning New Worlds", chapters attend to what justice-focused, future-oriented movements might look like for Critical Asian American+ Studies.

All too often, critical community-grounded work can feel daunting. This collection pushes beyond prescribed borders that separate our communities and separate us into our own educational spheres (e.g. P-12, higher education, teacher education) and roles (professor, teacher, principal, student). As one of the few edited collections with such diverse perspectives, this collection provides multiple paths forward in Asian American, Arab/Middle Eastern American, and Pasifika Studies, inspires with its counterstories of struggle and success, and challenges readers to consider their own next steps.

Perfect for courses such as: Asian Americans in Education; Critical Studies in Education; Multicultural Education/Sociocultural Foundations in Education; Ethnic Studies/Asian American Studies; Social Justice in Education; Critical Pedagogy and Education; Urban Education; Race, Ethnicity, and Education; Introduction to Education; School and Society

PreK-12 schools across the United States are adopting social and emotional learning (SEL) programs for both students and educators. However, most of these schools are adopting non-contextualized, trendy, and traditional SEL programs, in which students and educators are conditioned to apply certain knowledge and skills that speak to only a small subset of students rather than utilizing authentic, equity-driven SEL models. As such, SEL programming must be transformed and sustained to reflect new and shifting identities of both students and educators, like the expanding ability, cultural, gender, linguistic, race, religion, and socioeconomic formations and their intersections, as well as tensions within predominantly white institutions.

Moving from Trendy to Transformative Social-Emotional Learning presents a diverse collection of chapters that discuss authentic and contextualized equity and justice models that are focused on the possibilities of transformative SEL programming. The book’s primary focus is on innovative and creative methodologies and practices that aspiring and practicing educators can use right away. Because the editors and contributors are former or current PreK-12 practitioners and/or educational scholars, this book is written for a broad educational audience. Directed to both preservice and practicing teachers across PreK-12 grade levels, school types, and geographic regions looking to improve their practice, the text provides entry points for transforming the SEL landscape in favor of liberatory, justice-based, and equitable practices. Additionally, this book is ideal for teacher and administrator preparation programs, as well as PreK-12 professional development, because it guides readers through theoretical and empirical discussions, punctuated by hands-on applications that enable real-time application, and concludes with interactive features, including case studies, extension activities, and discussion prompts.

Specific topics include enacting culturally-relevant SEL; addressing youth mental health through cultivating authentic belonging and mindfulness in classrooms; equitable SEL curricular and pedagogical practices; developing adult SEL; culturally-grounded identity development, ensuring safe environments for building identity and relationships; and SEL in teacher education and mentorship.

Perfect for courses such as: Introduction to Educating For Equity And Social Justice; Introduction to Cultivating Culturally Responsive Classrooms; Foundations of Classroom Management; Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Schools; Principles of Professional Collaboration In Education; Introduction To School Improvement, Introduction to Teacher Leadership And School Improvement; Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment; Principles of Building Classroom Communities; Principles of Teaching Diverse Learners; Principles of Youth Voices in Education

African American males are confronted with formidable barriers in their pursuit of quality education, resulting in stark disparities in academic performance, economic opportunities, and social outcomes. Despite numerous educational initiatives striving for parity, African American males persistently bear the brunt of the highest rates of suspensions, expulsions, and dropout rates, surpassing all other demographic groups.

Educational environments often fail to acknowledge and integrate the cultural and social needs of Black males, viewing them as "problems" rather than recognizing their immense potential for academic and leadership success. The prevalence of negative stereotypes in media, particularly in video games, exacerbates societal biases, portraying African American males as inherently violent and criminal. These representations contribute to implicit biases that affect perceptions and treatment in real-life scenarios. The systemic issues within the education system, coupled with socioeconomic factors, result in African American males being underrepresented in advanced placement and gifted education programs. This underrepresentation limits their opportunities for higher education and professional advancement.

Confronting these challenges necessitates a comprehensive approach that encompasses the creation of inclusive educational environments, the eradication of systemic racism, and the promotion of positive representations of African American males in media. By acknowledging and fostering the potential of Black males, society can strive to reduce disparities and cultivate a more equitable and just education system that recognizes and celebrates their academic and professional achievements.

African American Males and Video Games explores the perspectives of four African American male college students aged 18 to 21 on the impact of video games on their academic growth and development. The participants, all maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher, shared their experiences with teachers, video games, and coping mechanisms. This qualitative approach allowed for a rich understanding of the participant's experiences and the role of video games in their academic and mental well-being.

Video games emerged as a significant coping tool for the participants, providing a mental escape from academic and social pressures. The games allowed them to engage in competitive and creative activities, fostering a sense of accomplishment and reducing stress. For example, games like NBA 2K21 and Forza Horizon 4 enabled them to explore alter egos and interests in a virtual space, offering entertainment and a sense of community.

African American Males and Video Games is a critical text for exploring alternatives in providing a quality education experience for young African American males. It is vital reading for educators in all areas of higher education, and a valuable teaching tool in Colleges of Education.

Perfect for courses such as: Educational Psychology; Sociology of Education; African American Studies; Media Studies; Game Design; Youth Development; Digital Literacy; Cultural Studies; Educational Technology; Social Psychology; Gender Studies

Ubuntu Pedagogy: Becoming an Ubuntu Responsive Educator is a compelling narrative born from the author's lived experience and extensive teaching in the United States. The book chronicles her journey to Southern Africa, where she sought to understand what it means to "teach in the spirit of ubuntu." The book explores the transformative power of Ubuntu, an ancient African philosophy rooted in human interconnectedness and mutual care. It demonstrates how the principles of Ubuntu can be applied to create an engaging, inclusive, and effective learning environment. This work blends personal stories, practical examples, and a conceptual framework of Ubuntu pedagogy, illustrating its profound impact on both teaching practices and student achievement.

Part One
In this section, the author recounts her challenging first year of teaching within a large urban public school district. Through reflection, she recognizes how the traumatic events of 9/11 impacted how she showed up as a teacher. These experiences underscored the importance of reflective practice, which became a cornerstone of her teaching philosophy. Through these reflections, she emphasizes the need for educators to engage in self-examination and continuous learning to navigate and overcome initial challenges effectively.

Part Two
In part two of the book, the author unpacks the essence of teaching in the spirit of Ubuntu, focusing on its six core components. Central to this approach is understanding oneself and building positive relationships with others. This section explores creating unity among students from a place of love and care and the importance of using evidence-based practices to cater to diverse learning needs. It provides actionable insights into fostering a classroom environment rooted in compassion and mutual respect.

Part Three
This part of the book transports readers to the author's time working with children and teachers in the rural and inner-city schools of Botswana and Namibia. As an outsider, she observed and documented numerous instances of Ubuntu in action. These experiences highlighted the profound sense of community and support inherent in the Ubuntu philosophy, offering valuable lessons for educators worldwide.

Part Four
This section examines the role of Ubuntu in creating a harmonious learning environment through a compassionate approach to discipline. It discusses how Ubuntu-based discipline strategies can foster respect, responsibility, and positive student behavior, enhancing the classroom atmosphere.

Part Five
In part five of the book, the author distinguishes between cultural competence and Ubuntu competence, elaborating on what it means to be a truly competent teacher. Drawing from real-life experiences of educators in inner-city schools across the United States, this section highlights the importance of embracing diverse cultural perspectives and fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Part Six
This section explores the intrinsic link between who educators are as individuals and how they teach. It provides a step-by-step guide for educators to develop and articulate their teaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-awareness in fostering meaningful connections with students.

Part Seven
The book's final section focuses on practical applications of Ubuntu principles to cultivate good character among students. It includes the use of proverbs, aphorisms, and adinkra symbols as tools to promote ethical decision-making and positive behavior. This chapter offers concrete strategies for educators to help students develop moral integrity and make sound choices.

Ubuntu Pedagogy: Becoming an Ubuntu Responsive Educator is more than a pedagogical guide; it is a testament to the power of human connection and compassionate teaching. By integrating Ubuntu into educational practices, the author will inspire educators to create nurturing, inclusive, and effective learning environments that honor the humanity of every student.