Supporting Muslim Students: A Guide to Understanding the Diverse Issues of Today’s Classrooms - Softcover

Mahalingappa, Laura; Rodriguez, Terri L.; Polat, Nihat

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1475832958 ISBN 13: 9781475832952

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2017

Synopsis

This book is a practical guide for educators who are working with Muslim youth in Pk-12 schools to understand issues that may impact Muslim students today. It outlines basic information about the Muslim community and presents topics such as peer relationships, bullying, and anti-bias pedagogy, through school-based vignettes and case studies.

About this title

About the Author:

Laura Mahalingappa, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of education and the director of the ESL M.S. Ed. and Certificate Programs at Duquesne University. Her teaching and research focuses on teacher preparation to support linguistically and culturally diverse learners and bilingual language acquisition in marginalized communities.

Terri L. Rodriguez, Ph.D., is a former secondary English teacher and currently an associate professor of education at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Her research explores issues of social justice, equity, and diversity in schools.

Nihat Polat, Ph.D., is an associate professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research in the School of Education at Duquesne University. His teaching and research focuses on second language learning and teaching and second language teacher education.

Review:

Supporting Muslim Students is boldly and unapologetically designed to support and sustain teachers and other school professionals in their advocacy for all students. This very timely book will serve as a professional resource for those working in multicultural contexts who believe in social justice education—for those equity minded educators who are seeking the nuanced understandings needed to extend those beliefs to the Muslin students they serve. Well-researched and powerful in its breadth and depth, this text will empower educators who endeavor to become more empathetic and knowledgeable as they strive to help all students in their journeys toward becoming more sensitive and better informed citizens. In this book, the authors provide background information for Muslim students’ beliefs, practices, and lived experiences in the context of classrooms and schools. Moving beyond essentializing, stereotyping, and superficial understandings, this book advocates for the implementation of anti-bias pedagogy. It will help school professionals think deeply and critically about who their students are and how to integrate their students’ experiences in the curriculum with sensitivity and a strong knowledge base. Now, there are no more excuses—because these authors have made it possible for educators to succeed, going so far as to offer case studies, chapter summaries, critical points for consideration, discussion questions, and concrete strategies for school professionals interested in bridging the gap between school practices and students’ daily lives. Supporting Muslim Students is an essential must-read for educators who understand the importance of culturally responsive, culturally sustaining teaching. (Arnetha F. Ball, Professor, Stanford University Graduate School of Education)

Although the number of Muslim students in U.S. schools throughout the nation is steadily increasing, most schools are still unprepared to welcome and teach them effectively. Supporting Muslim Students is a much-needed, practical guide that will help educators learn more about these students, explore ways to make curriculum and pedagogy be more inclusive, and reach out to Muslim families. With school and classroom-based vignettes and case studies, this text describes many of the challenges faced by Muslim students in our schools today. It will be an excellent resource for teachers, schools, teacher educators, and policymakers. (Sonia Nieto, University of Massachusetts)

These authors have created a very valuable work that can assist anyone towards a deeper understanding of educating Muslim students. It is meaningful, very readable, and very well organized. The case studies are excellent, in that they are positively oriented and model ways of thinking. Overall, I can imagine this being an important book for educators, administrators and staff. Reading it, I kept thinking, “How can I use this in class?” It was easy to read and enjoyable, and I feel honored to review it. (Jeanne Cofell, Assistant Professor, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1475832958
• ISBN 13: 9781475832952
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 180