Race, Inclusion, Social Justice, and Holistic Education: A Duoethnography

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Paulo Freire, Critical Pedagogy, and Emancipation Roundtable

Abstract

This investigation of issues of diversity, social justice and cultural sensitivity in holistic education; Waldorf, Montessori and homeschooling, utilizes duo-ethnographic methodology to bring into communication the perspectives of two academics/holistic education mothers. One a white, previously homeschooling now Montessori mother and doctoral student of holistic education at a state university, the other a black, mother of two Waldorf school graduates and visiting assistant professor of race and diversity at a liberal arts college. The paper addresses hopes and aspirations, methodological strengths and challenges and potential evolution of education in holistic pedagogies and conventional public education. It concludes with the authors’ perspectives on teacher preparation, development and support, community outreach, student body diversity and culturally sensitive classroom practices.

Authors

• Meredith C Shockley-Smith, Miami University - Oxford

• Autumn Joy Joy Florencio-Wain, State University of New York at Albany