Description: This book presents examples of faculty taking the lead to help preservice teachers understand the social injustices in aspects of early childhood education.
Brief description: Mari Riojas-Cortez, Ph.D. is Professor and Program Chair of Early Childhood. As an educational researcher, Dr. Riojas-Cortez examines Latino issues in early childhood including family engagement, children's play and early childhood teacher preparation.
Review Quotes:
"In a clear yet powerful manner, the authors describe minoritized groups' struggle to access high-quality early childhood programs and the difference that highly qualified, inclusive, equity-minded educators can make. The book elevates early childhood teachers as strong, extraordinary, and super diverse professionals. It is admirable work that highlights contextual efforts to bring to the heart of early learning practice. It demonstrates how a change in society is dependent on early childhood teachers' ability to practice culturally and linguistically responsive teaching." --Carola Oliva-Olson, PhD, senior principal education researcher, Center for Learning and Development, SRI Education
"This timely publication brings attention to the nature of the multiple challenges inherent to early childhood education. It makes us aware about the increasing need to prepare educators with the eyes on 21st Century realities and demands. Each chapter is a call for practices that will not only build knowledge but also empower our future and practicing early childhood professionals." --Wilma Robles-Melendez, PhD, professor, early childhood education and leadership, Nova Southeastern University