Transformative Education:

Its about Purpose, Responsiveness, and

Relationships

Dr. Alejandro GuerreroOctober 12, 2020

What is the purpose of education?

The function of education is to teach one to think intensely and think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals. Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Instruction vs Education

Banking models of education

Power lies with

instructor

Memorization of facts

Learn skills to succeed in

society

Growing, cultivating,

fulfilling ones’ purpose in life

Each one teach one

Manifesting one’s full potential

Sharing of power

Dr. Jeff Duncan Andrade, SFSU Professor of Raza Studies

Impacts of Inequalities

Critical Questions to

Consider

● What current policies, practices, processes

contribute to the current trends in the

educational pipeline? The trends in the

school to prison pipelines?

● What can classified staff, faculty, and

administrators do to counter the trends in

the educational pipelines? The trends in the

school to prison pipelines?

● What can you as classified staff, faculty,

and administrators do empower and retain

traditionally marginalized/underserved

students (Black and Brown students)?

(Dr. Sean Arce, Napa XITO, 2018)

What is Transformative Education?

Trans FormChange and

Shape

Inspires and motivates students to create change for themselves, their families, their communities and the larger society while

preparing and shaping them for future success.

The Transformative Educator…

Purposely cultivates classrooms, counseling spaces,

and other places on campus that are focused on equity and inclusion where every student

matters, is validated, and considered an important part of

the college community.

Lifts-up students’ social identities and cultural/ethnic

backgrounds as important and valuable to the learning

environment and community.

Can you identify a transformative educator in your

life?• How did that person make you

feel? • What was it like to be in their

learning space?• How do you know they cared?• How were they different from

other educators?

Responsive and relevant learning

approaches

Grounded in Social Justice Purpose

Focused on building strong and meaningful relationships

Purpose Responsiveness RelationshipsSocial justice

focus;

Challenges deficit

perspectives;

Establishes relationships

built on authentic care;

Focuses on developing

student’s agency;

Emphasizes counterstories; Shows respect for

students;

Cultivate critical

consciousness in

themselves and their

students;

Responsive to students’

lived experiences;

Collaborates with

students;

Takes a political stance

against oppression;

Embraces students'

community knowledge;

Validates students as

important members of

school community;

Believes students can

transform the world;

Empowers students through

relevant and responsive

curriculum;

Empowers students

intellectually, socially,

emotionally, and

politically

A social justice purpose...

Dr. Jeff Duncan-

Andrade, SFSU Raza

Studies Professor

● Embrace cultural and

community knowledge

● Respond to students’

lived experiences

● Honor student stories

and experiences as

valuable to the

curriculm

A Cultural and Community Responsive Approach

It’s about building deep and

meaningful relationships with

students…

In Conclusion All of us in the academy and in

the culture as a whole are called

to renew our minds if we are to

transform educational

institutions and society so that

way we live, teach, and work

can reflect our joy in cultural

diversity, our passion for

justice, and our love of freedom.

-bell hooks-

Thank you!

Dr. Alejandro GuerreroEOPS Counselor

Professor of CounselingAdjunct Physical Education

Napa Valley CollegeBuilding 1100

(707) 256-7317