Teachin' It!: Breakout Moves That Break Down Barriers for Community College Students, Paperback

How can I tailor instruction to redress the wide variety of gaps in student content knowledge and college skills while simultaneously holding all students to high academic standards?

How can I create inclusive classrooms where the diverse perspectives and approaches of all students--especially those from backgrounds different than my own--are illuminated and valued?

Teachin' It is a hands-on guide to cutting-edge research and classroom strategies that redress the graduation gap in community and open-access colleges. Drawing from the author's 30 years in the education field as a math and college skills instructor, teacher educator, and researcher, this book describes an asset-based model that bolsters the success of all students, especially those underrepresented with 4-year degrees. This community includes students of color, first-generation college students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities. Readers will discover new strategies to create equitable, engaging, interactive classroom environments where students from all backgrounds are motivated to take risks, make mistakes, share their unique approaches and perspectives, and develop their own identities as powerful lifelong learners. Topics include inquiry-based learning, implicit bias, growth mindset, stereotype threat, scaffolding, college and career skills, and a community of learners.

Book Features:

• Helps instructors disrupt larger systemic inequities by creating safe, interactive learning environments where all students develop as adult learners.
• Translates complex education theory and neuroscience research using real-life classroom examples and student and instructor narratives.
• Demonstrates over 50 strategies that instructors can pilot the very next day in their own disciplines and classrooms, and explains the reasons why these strategies work.
• Draws from the author's own classroom and research experiences to illustrate how to effectively implement Stanford's academic mindset strategies.

Felicia Darling is an instructor in the College Skills Department at Santa Rosa Junior College. Dr. Darling is also a researcher and scholar around issues of equity and education.