Teaching When the World Is on Fire

Authentic Classroom Advice, from Climate Justice to Black Lives Matter

Edited by:

Lisa Delpit

A timely collection of advice and strategies for creating a just classroom from educators across the country, handpicked by MacArthur “genius” and bestselling author Lisa Delpit

“A favorite education book of the year.” —Greater Good magazine

Is it okay to discuss politics in class? What are constructive ways to help young people process the daily news coverage of sexual assault? How can educators engage students around Black Lives Matter? Climate change? Confederate statue controversies? Immigration? Hate speech?

In Teaching When the World Is on Fire, Lisa Delpit turns to a host of crucial issues facing teachers in these tumultuous times. Delpit’s master-teacher wisdom tees up guidance from beloved, well-known educators along with insight from dynamic principals and classroom teachers tackling difficult topics in K–12 schools every day.

This cutting-edge collection brings together essential observations on safety from Pedro Noguera and Carla Shalaby; incisive ideas on traversing politics from William Ayers and Mica Pollock; Christopher Emdin’s instructive views on respecting and connecting with Black and Brown students; Hazel Edwards’s crucial insight about safe spaces for transgender and gender-nonconforming students; and James W. Loewen’s sage suggestions about exploring symbols of the South; as well as timely thoughts from Bill Bigelow on teaching the climate crisis—and on the students and teachers fighting for environmental justice.

Teachers everywhere will benefit from what Publishers Weekly called “an urgent and earnest collection [that] will resonate with educators looking to teach ‘young people to engage across perspectives’ as a means to ‘creating a just and caring world. ’”

Topics:

Praise

“The stories from teachers’ classrooms, their efforts, creativity and insight, and their students’ resistance and activism . . . moved me [and] will inspire teachers to help students take action.”

—Radical Teacher

“The perfect blueprint. We can’t change this world or put out these fires unless we engage and activate the minds and hearts of ourselves and our students. That process starts in these pages. ”

—Ms. magazine

“Insightful and thought- provoking . . . just what you need to remember that change is possible and within our reach.”

—Pedro Noguera

“An honest and rich collection.”

—Zinn Education Project

News and Reviews

Ms. Magazine

“Teaching When the World Is on Fire is the perfect blueprint…. We can’t change this world or put out these fires unless we engage and activate the minds and hearts of ourselves and our students. That process starts in these pages.”

Publishers Weekly

“An urgent and earnest collection [that] will resonate with educators looking to teach ‘young people to engage across perspectives’ as a means to ‘creating a just and caring world.’”