Dignity-Affirming Education

Book excerpt: The word “dignity” isn’t typically used in education, yet it’s at the core of strong pedagogy. This book names the concept and shows readers what education looks like when it is centered on students’ dignity. By bringing together a collection of chapters written by authors with wide-ranging expertise, this volume presents a powerful approach to education that reminds people of their somebodiness—the premise that each person inherently possesses the intellectual acumen and creative resources to pursue development on their own terms. This timely book brings dignity into sharper focus, moving the field toward a language that captures what is required for oppressed communities to recognize their potential. It synthesizes research for educators, school leaders, and educational activists to help them make sense of what they are working for and against: dignity and the numerous affronts to it. Dignity-Affirming Education is important reading for anyone who works with students of any age, including nontraditional or adult learners, in formal and informal educational contexts. Contributors: Ramona Alcalá, Varnica Arora, Mica Baum-Tuccillo, Crystal V. Breedlove, Alondra Contreras, Michelle Fine, Samuel Finesurrey, Eric K. Grimes / Brother Shomari, Elisabeth H. Kim, Aidan Lam, P. Zitlali Morales, Daniel Morales-Doyle, Evin Orfila, Jacqueline Robinson, Arnaldo Rodriguez, Christyl Rodriguez, Manali J. Sheth, David Stovall, S2 Alumni Research Collective (Joel Almonte, Nathan Boissier, Samantha Bruno, Noah Campbell, Noel Columna, Ashley Cruz, Jesslin Hiraldo, Mya Laporte, Brandon Mendoza, Naomi Pabon, Sheylany Paulino, Ariana Peñña Ramírez, Lauren Santos, Siarra Savinon, and Alyssa Victoria), Ayako Takamori, and Priscilla Wohlstetter.