September 04, 2013

Faculty book, Rethinking Elementary Education, takes top honors

Professors Linda Christensen and Dyan Watson are co-editors of Rethinking Elementary Education, which was given top honors in the Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Awards.

Lewis & Clark professors Linda Christensen and Dyan Watson are co-editors of a new award-winning book about elementary education, Rethinking Elementary EducationThe book collects the best articles about elementary school teaching—including language arts, media literacy, mathematics, and science—from the 25-years archives of Rethinking Schools magazine.

The book took gold in the Education category of the Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Awards, which recognize “excellence in independent publishing.”

Jerome C. Harste, Martha Lea and Bill Armstrong Chair Emeritus of Teacher Education at Indiana University, praised the collection saying, “Chapter after chapter, teachers take your breath away with the power of their teaching, demonstrating practices that help the children in their care ‘live the curriculum.’  This is a much needed look at how, despite mandates to the contrary, teachers might make curriculum relevant to children, connecting it to their lives by addressing the big issues that surround them.”

“We are honored that the IBPA recognized the quality work that so many educators have contributed over the years to Rethinking Schools,” says Linda Christensen, lead editor of the book project and Director of the Oregon Writing Project at Lewis & Clark.  “This gold award for Rethinking Elementary Education is a testament to the passion and care teachers bring to their practice and their generosity in sharing it with others.”

Dyan Watson, associate professor of teacher education and book co-editor said, “As a teacher educator, I know how important it is to have concrete models of exemplary teaching—teaching that is strong academically, grounded in children’s lives, and infused with social justice. I’m delighted that the IBPA recognized the brilliance of the teaching collected in this volume.”

Rethinking Schools is a nonprofit publisher and advocacy organization dedicated to sustaining and strengthening public education through social justice teaching and education activism. Their magazine, books and other resources promote equity and racial justice in the classroom. Linda Christensen is a member of the Rethinking Schools editorial board, and Dyan Watson is an editorial associate.

 

Caleb Diehl ‘17 contributed to this story.