The author brings together Paulo Freire and Jurgen Habermas to ask whether dialogue is possible in the classroom or whether, in a culture of rational debate, the classroom becomes more oppressive than democratic? In a voice and style that attempts to invite the skeletons out of the classroom closet, the author asks scholarly readers to lend an…

Teachers are often exhorted by creationists to "teach the controversy." Although such encouragement sounds on the surface like a proposal for critical thinking instruction, the history of the creationist movement in North America belies this claim. Rather than teach students to analyze and evaluate actual scientific controversies, the intent of…

At an elementary school in inner city Toronto, I am working with the principal, a kernel group of primary teachers, and the school's technician to develop children's digital literacies. Main Street School is dedicated to the pursuit of social equity for its population of grade K-5 students who are characterized by high multiculturalism and low…

In this article the author interprets a teaching story, written over a decade ago, about a troubling student who failed her course. Using George Lakoff's and Mark Johnson's cognitive linguistic theory, she shows how the conceptual metaphors implicit in her interactions with the student prevented her from responding helpfully to the student's…

In this paper, I share stories that provide sites of inquiry for the (re)interpretation of my own educative experience. Crossing time, I (re)visit and (re)construct seminal events in my life using knowledge gleaned in the intervening years to come to see how these life stories inform and guide me in the present. I use my own stories to enhance my…

Stories that were written by my grandfather at the turn of the 20th century spiraled into my daily life as a nurse-teacher at the turn of the 21st century. In this paper, I explore a common plotline of my Afi (Islandic for grandfather) and me as pioneers by linking his life stories to the tensions I experience in my contemporary professional…

In this paper, I examine some of the past and current issues in anti-colonial discourse by briefly reviewing the ideas of thirteen anti-colonial scholars from different regions of the world. I relate these ideas to the discussion of knowledge production and indigenous knowledges. I also examine some critical areas that require more attention from…

Who are we as teachers and what constitutes a desirable educational experience? Two teachers, one Chinese and the other a white Canadian, tell "a single story [of teaching], integrated by our sense of ourselves" (Crites, 1971, p. 303). Our storytelling is enabled by metaphors and images that serve as tools for reflecting on our actions in life and…

This paper argues that recent Charter decisions concerning the off duty expressive conduct of teachers have involved a narrow or "orthodox" interpretation of the reasonable limits on such expression. The author illustrates what he describes as a "messy area" by taking us through the controversial and well-known examples of Shewan and Shewan; the…

This article argues that bullying is a human rights violation and should be a social studies curriculum concern. It treats bullying not only as a school incident but also as part of any systematic, continuous violence in any context. There is a discussion of legal implications, applicable educational theory, and attempts to deal with bullying in…

There are sharp differences in the economic, educational and political conditions among the NAFTA countries. This paper focuses on the difference in cultural and value orientations in Mexico, Canada and the United States. Education is increasingly market driven, which poses a challenge in balancing the integration of education with international…

Argues that the assumption that including students with disabilities into regular classrooms will be possible with few problems is not supported by research. Discusses whether regular classroom teachers can meet the demands of the inclusionary movement. Focuses on teacher attitudes, skills, and competencies, as well as support necessary for…

Discusses education of multiply handicapped children, especially those with visual impairments. Reviews literature relative to previous studies in this area, focusing on participant observation as a suitable and useful means of assessing multiply disabled populations. Provides a basis for advocating qualitative measures over quantitative ones in…

Observes that because teaching is not a full-fledged profession like other societal occupations, student teachers are oriented into a vocation still attempting to create a place in society. Asserts that until teacher educators adopt a public and accountable ethical regime for teacher candidates, the vocation will continue to be a quasi-profession.…

Advocates moving multicultural education beyond ethnic awareness into a more theoretical and constructive phase. Argues for incorporating epistemological theories regarding the subjectivity of knowledge with an awareness of the interdependence of different cultures. (MJP)