A Critically Conscious Systems Thinking Approach: Centering Hope, Love, and Equity in the Classroom

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Twelve
  In Roundtable Session: Freire's Legacy in Classroom Practices (Table 15)

Abstract

Educators are charged with co-constructing an equitable and sustainable world with their students. The perspectives informing teacher-researchers who work to co-disrupt systemic inequities are instrumental (Checkland & Poulter, 2006). In this theoretical paper, we contend that critical theories that promote equity and social justice are essential. Thus, we propose an integration of Paulo Freire’s (1970, 1997/2016) ethics with a complementary approach of systems thinking (ST) in which the world is viewed as interconnected and interrelated (Davis et al., 2015; Senge et al, 2012). Specifically, we show how Freirean (2013) ideals of love and hope can emerge as core tenets of his philosophy are interwoven with ST (Capra & Luisi, 2014).

Authors

• Kevin J. Nguyen-Stockbridge, Chapman University
  Presenting Author

• Amy Lassiter Ardell, Chapman University
  Presenting Author

• Margaret Sauceda Curwen, Chapman University
  Presenting Author