The California Reader recently published a glowing review for the book “Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Equity, and Justice” by SJSU Lurie College Professor Allison Briceño, Ed.D., and her colleague from Santa Clara University, Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica, Ph.D. The reviewer, S.A. Griffin, praised the book’s impact on the education landscape and its role in promoting social justice and equity in the classroom.

Allison Briceño is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education at SJSU Lurie College of Education and coordinates the Reading and Literacy Leadership Credential and MA Program. Her expertise lies in bilingual teacher preparation and studying how bilingual students comprehend text. Her research has been published in several journals including Teacher Education Quarterly and Reading Teacher. Briceño’s work aims to bridge the gap in education for bilingual students.

Books are at the heart of instruction, and we can use them in ways that move us far beyond representation. The authors teach us how. They do an outstanding job helping us reflect on our own beliefs, shift our mindsets, and develop our critical consciousness. We consider the role of power, learn how to rethink schooling, and are prompted to better align our philosophies with our pedagogy.

According to Griffin, books play a central role in the learning process, and the authors do an excellent job helping readers reflect on their beliefs, shift their mindsets, and develop their critical consciousness. The book prompts readers to consider the role of power in education and how to better align their philosophy with their teaching practices.

With a paradigm shift underway in education, the book has come at a critical time, providing administrators and educators with the tools they need to become change agents and leaders. It helps ensure that every student has access to diverse texts that support their social, emotional, academic, and identity advancement.

The reviewer highly recommends the book to anyone who wants to take an active role in promoting inclusion, equity, and justice in the classroom and community. This book is ideal for professional development and will help save valuable time for collaborative teams, as it provides templates and strategies for assessment and communication.

In conclusion, the review in The California Reader reinforces the importance of “Conscious Classrooms” and its impact on the education landscape. If you’re an educator looking to promote inclusion, equity, and justice in your classroom, this book is a must-read. With a wide variety of resources and practical tips, Allison Briceño and Claudia Rodriquez-Mojica have created a valuable resource for educators everywhere.

Reference:

Griffin, S. A. (2023). A review of Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Justice, and Equity. The California Reader, 56(1), 27-28.

SJSU students prepare to exercise their right to vote. Photo: Robert C. Bain.

San José State University Political Science Professor Mary Currin-Percival encourages people to be aware of their rights. As director of SJSU’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (IPACE) and the on-campus voter registration, mobilization, and education initiative SJSU Votes!, Currin-Percival’s focus is to inform SJSU students about the November 8th election. Midterm elections also provide an important opportunity for voters to voice their opinions on local and state ballot items, along with the city council, mayor, and state legislators.

San José State will have a voting station at the Provident Credit Union Event Center starting on Saturday, Oct. 29. Doors open from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. every day on the south side of the Event Center, near the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center — and on election day, it will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Currin-Percival shared five recommended actions you can take before the November midterm elections, to learn more, click here

Join us for our Fall 2022 University Scholar Series presentation entitled, “Framing and Decoding Public Narratives in the Debate Over Race-conscious Affirmative Action”

This event will be on November 16 at 12:00pm, VIRTUAL only. Hosted by the Office of the Provost in partnership with SJSU King Library. This virtual event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (408) 924-2403.

To register for more information, click here

Lofgren presented a $500,000 check for the San Jose State University’s Healthy Development Community Clinic

Lofgren presented a $500,000 check for the San Jose State University’s Healthy Development Community Clinic for their joint project with the East Side Union School District that provides families with healthcare services, while also helping advance graduate students’ education through in-the-field professional experience.

“I find it inspiring that SJSU’s College of Education is taking advantage of their expertise on campus – the professors and students focused on child development, speech pathology, therapy, and more – to help underserved children, adolescents, parents, and families in San Jose,” said Lofgren. “It’s a win-win-win – for families, graduate students, and our community as a whole.”

“We are very grateful to Rep. Zoe Lofgren for her support of the Healthy Development Community Clinic,” shared Heather Lattimer, Dean of San Jose State University’s College of Education. “This federal investment will allow us to significantly expand the education, mental health, and wellness services that the HDCC is able to offer to children and families in the East San José community.”

To read the full article, go to this link.

Here is the link to purchase tickets

Come and join us for our Second Annual SJSU Legacy Run—Our Communities and Mental Health: Activities That Ground Us. A walk, run, roll at San José State University that starts and ends at the Tommie Smith and John Carlos Olympic Statues and will go around the perimeter of the university, passing through the Arch of Dignity, Equality, and Justice or Cesar Chavez Arch.

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2022
Location: Start and finish at the Olympic Statues and perimeter of the university (sidewalk)

Register now or for more information, click here

Do you know of a recent alumni that is looking to stay connected with our Lurie Community? There are so many great opportunities for alumni to network with one another, stay connected with the campus and college resources, and actively participate in the continued growth of the Lurie College community.

If you know of someone who would be interested, please share our Lurie College Alumni Google Form with them.