Teaching, research, and service interests focus on: the sociocultural dynamics of schools and teaching; multicultural education and the preparation of culturally responsive teachers; democratic, project-oriented instruction; and community service and partnership for learning and social change. Much of my work revolves around trying to help make K-12 schools, classrooms, and communities more welcoming and supportive places where ALL young people are respected and able to succeed academically and socially. As part of this pursuit, I work with others, both on campus and in the community, to help educate about issues of diversity and to build a multicultural society founded on mutual respect, understanding, and justice.

Courses: Education and Society; Social Foundations of Education; Culture and Community in Education and Teaching; and Education for Social Change. Local community activities include: co-director of the Community Unity Multicultural Music and Art Program; board member and vice-president of Ithaca's Southside Community Center; and a member of the steering committee of the Village at Ithaca Initiative, a group working to address the achievement gap.

TEACHING:
I teach a wide range of topics related to contemporary issues in education. Some of these topics are: the purposes of public schools in a democratic society; teachers and students as critically reflective agents of educational and social reform; equal opportunity in education; the influence of socioeconomic factors on schools and the educational experience of students; inequality in the financing of American schools; educational vouchers and school choice; ability grouping and tracking; multicultural education and culturally responsive teaching; the school experiences of African-American, Latino, Asian-American, and American Indian youth; linguistic diversity and bilingual education; gender issues; the education of students with disabilities; issues of sexuality in schools; the role of religion in public schooling; recent federal and state proposals for education reform; building a sense of community and care in schools; creating school/home/community partnerships; using the community as a site for learning and service; teaching for social and emotional intelligence; democratic schools and classrooms; project and student-centered instruction, interdisciplinary education, cooperative learning, and technology as a tool for activist education and the creation of global learning networks.

SOME PUBLICATIONS:
Service Learning for Youth Empowerment and Social Change. With C. Ogden. (Eds.) Part of the Adolescent Cultures, School and Society Series. New York: Peter Lang Publishing, 2001.

An Empowering, Transformative Approach to Service. With C. Ogden. In J. Claus and C. Ogden (Eds.) Service Learning for Youth Empowerment and Social Change. New York: Peter Lang Publishing, 2001.

Service Learning for Social Change: The Importance of Community Collaboration and a Critically Reflective Framework. With Teresa Michel. In T. O'Connor (Ed.) Cornell Service-Learning Symposium Working Paper Series, Volume 2. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Public Service Center, 1999.

"You Can't Avoid the Politics:" Lessons for Teacher Education from a Case Study of Teacher-Initiated Tracking Reform. Journal of Teacher Education, 1999, 50(1): 5-16.

Reflection as a Natural Element of Service: Service Learning for Youth Empowerment. With C. Ogden. Equity and Excellence in Education, 1997, 30(1): 72-80

SOME PRESENTATIONS:
Collaborating with Community Partners for Critically Reflective, Culturally Responsive Teacher Education. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Dallas, 2001.

Service Learning as Democratic Activism and the Pursuit of Social Change. Presentation at the annual National Service Learning Conference, sponsored by the National Youth Leadership Council, San Jose, 1999.

Service Learning for Social Change: The Importance of Community Collaboration and a Critically Reflective Framework. Paper presented at the annual Cornell Service-Learning Symposium, Ithaca, NY. 1999.

Service Learning for Youth Empowerment and Social Change. Presentation at the annual National Service-Learning Conference, sponsored by the National Youth Leadership Council. Minneapolis, 1998.

Issues of Diversity and School Reform: Preparing Preservice Teachers for Persuasive Advocacy and Community Involvement. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education, Chicago, 1996.

SOME GOOD LINKS:
Working to Improve Schools and Education (WISE) -- a website constructed with students in one of my courses -- designed to help teachers and interested citizens create better schools and classrooms.

The Multicultural Pavilion -- a multicultural supersite for educators.

iEARN, The International Education and Resource Network -- a non-profit global network that enables young people to use the Internet and other new technologies to engage in collaborative educational projects that both enhance learning and make a difference in the world.

Rethinking Schools -- an excellent publication by critically reflective, progressive educators.

Teaching For Change -- excellent resources in support of multicultural education.

ColorLines -- a good magazine about race, culture, and activism.

Teaching Tolerance -- a national education project and magazine dedicated to helping teachers foster equity, respect, and understanding in the classroom and beyond -- a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Democracy Now -- a critically reflective radio and tv program that raises challenging questions and presents often underrepresented information about important social and political issues and controversies

American Folklife Center -- fun and interesting materials and resources.

National Youth Leadership Council -- a good overview of service learning programs and resources.

National Service Learning Clearinghouse -- more good resources about service learning.

The Twinkies Project (Tests With Inorganic Noxious Kakes in Extreme Situations) -- important scientific research.

This site last modified 8/28/06.