"Teaching community: A pedagogy of hope" (hooks, 2003), offers insights that are easily transferable to the field of developmental education. bell hooks' (2003) rich descriptions of her experiences as an educator, both within and beyond the classroom, are valuable reading for educators seeking to expand their perspectives on their profession. I was disoriented by several of her provocative statements, but grateful for the realization that students enrolled in developmental education courses may likewise feel off-balance in our classrooms. This critical analysis addresses the first three chapters, or "teaches" introduced by hooks, and draws out connections between her text and developmental education practice.