Klingbrief

In Carol Gilligan’s new book, she revisits her pivotal work, In a Different Voice (1982), with wisdom and perspective, building on and refining her earlier research. It was Gilligan who realized women had been largely neglected in psychology; now, four decades after In a Different Voice, Gilligan elevates the importance of care ethics, reclaiming it not as feminine, but rather as a universal human construct. She urges readers to abandon competitive, hierarchical structures, which are limiting, and, instead, to move toward more relational and compassionate frameworks. Gilligan explores the difference between patriarchy and democracy, recognizing that while “gender is essential [in patriarchy], in democracy, gender is irrelevant.” Patriarchy’s dependence on gender subordinates a female perspective. When we are more compassionate – regardless of gender – we, as a society, can better focus our efforts on mutual care and wellbeing. Through a balance of personal insight, narrative examples, and research, Gilligan reminds educators that helping students feel heard and seen for their humanity is essential. In order to do so, we must foster compassionate and connected classrooms, recognizing students not only for their achievements and intellectual growth, but also for their resilience and ethical development.

What if the "troubled teen years" were actually nature's greatest opportunity for transformation? In 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, Dr. David Yeager reveals how the years between ages 10 and 25 represent a unique window of opportunity rather than just a turbulent phase to endure. Through scientific research and practical insights, Yeager demonstrates that this period of intense brain development and social awareness can be pivotal for setting life trajectories. The book dismantles common myths about teenage behavior, showing how characteristics often seen as problematic – like heightened social sensitivity and status-seeking – can actually be channeled into positive development. Rather than fighting against adolescents' natural tendencies, Yeager suggests working with them to foster growth and learning. Drawing from his research, Yeager provides actionable strategies for parents, educators, and coaches to support young people during a critical period. He deeply delves into the concept of the “Mentor’s Mindset,” and how this approach can transform seemingly challenging behaviors into opportunities. The book offers a fresh, optimistic perspective on adolescence that can help young people thrive. It's an essential read for anyone involved in shaping young lives.

At a time when AI seems to undermine a need to read thoroughly and reports show that college students struggle to get through full books, Carol Atherton’s celebration of literature in the classroom is a welcome reminder of why reading matters. Her opening chapter is a powerful essay on feminism, and she continues with topics including belonging, social responsibility, and the purpose of education itself. She includes recent trends in the British curriculum, a number of American classics, and a fresh and provocative perspective on Shakespeare, Dickens, and others. Poignant experiences from her own youthful literary discoveries and the provocative challenges posed by students in her classroom bring the works highlighted in each chapter to life and light. Atherton deftly explains why many of us hold on to the yellowed and dog-eared copies of our own high school novels or scribbled notes – not so much for the chance we might read them again but for the memories of the conversations, insights, and meaning they sparked. Atherton’s plea to keep literature relevant is a must read for English teachers and, for all educators, an inspiring example of teaching.

What implicit and explicit messages are students receiving in our schools about masculinity and femininity? And in what ways and to what extent do these messages invite pluralism and an expansive view of belonging? Following his 2022 publication, Of Boys & Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, & What to Do About It (reviewed in the October 2023 Klingbrief), Richard V. Reeves started the American Institute for Boys and Men to create research-based approaches to bettering the education, mental health, and work and family life of men. In recent weeks, he met with Sam Wolfson of The Guardian before and after the presidential election to discuss its outcome and implications, emphasizing that “an election that was initially expected to be about women and women’s issues turned out to be an election about men.” He emphasizes in particular how “zero-sum framing” played a significant role. In The New York Times, Elizabeth Spiers explores the role of “hegemonic masculinity” in this same election and in our culture. The BBC’s Stephanie Hegarty references a “crisis of masculinity” including women “outperforming men in education in 70% of countries worldwide,” calling for more inclusive and comprehensive approaches in research. Where and how do our students learn about our culture’s spoken and unspoken gender discourse? These articles invite renewed reflection and discussion regarding our policies, curricula, and culture.

Sarah Elaine Eaton is doing pathbreaking work in the emerging AI and education space. Her recent article, ambitiously titled “Postplagiarism: transdisciplinary ethics and integrity in the age of artificial intelligence and neurotechnology,” is an attempt to develop a framework for thinking about integrity in academic work. Built around six key tenets, Eaton’s argument is essentially that in this new era, “when technology cannot be decoupled from everyday life” and “hybrid-human-AI writing” becomes more common, our field needs new ways of thinking about human-machine collaboration and pedagogies of research, attribution, and writing process. Specifically, Eaton maintains that “historical definitions of plagiarism no longer apply,” while connecting to research arguing that consensus about plagiarism has actually been more elusive than we might realize. In a moment when so much feels like it’s being eaten by software, Eaton argues persuasively that “humans can – and must – remain accountable for fact-checking, verification procedures, and truth-telling.” The pedagogical and transformative potential of new technology should not be dismissed; rather, it must be yoked to a deep commitment to the humanistic, creative foundation of good teaching and learning. As if the challenges of generative AI weren’t enough for educators to ponder, Eaton fast-forwards to a world in which neurotechnology arrives to flummox educators and to challenge notions of independence, creativity, and authenticity. Eye-opening and mind-bending, this article is a must-read for folks looking to better understand where technology has brought us and where it might lead us – and how we might need to evolve along with it.

Carrying its outstanding list of praise and recognition – the Caldecott Medal 2024; the Coretta Scott King Honor Title 2024; National Book Award Finalist 2024 – this picture book is making space on the awards shelves for a beautiful child. When she was very young, she was praised for being a "big girl." But soon something changed. Hostile words from others landed with a deep and lasting impact. Why are you so big? Can't you just fit in? There's no room for you! Aren't you too big for that? Bringing the reader straight into the heart of fat-bias, its relationship to "early adultification," and the experience of body, racial, or age judgement, this book has messages from the early through upper years. When this lively, loveable child makes an immensely brave decision to take up her space proudly, many older readers will not only cheer her on but scour their own mindsets with new understanding of what it feels like to be big in a world of narrow pathways to acceptance. This child shows us what self-love can look like. So, as author Harrison writes in the candid afterword, she painted the child dressed in pink tones because it was a color to avoid when, as a child herself, she believed it made her size more noticeable. "Noticeable" is one word for this remarkable book. Here are a few more: necessary, empowering, unforgettable, inclusive, and yes, big.

Movies about teachers and schools often resemble fan fiction. The “hero teacher” archetype drives the plot, rescuing students, renewing our faith in humanity, and glorifying the profession, all in rapid succession. Enjoyable in the moment, such plotting and pacing beg the question: what deeper purpose do they serve? The Teachers’ Lounge (or  Das Lehrerzimmer), a 2023 German drama directed by lker Çatak and co-written by Johannes Duncker, rejects the typical formula and takes a starkly different approach. Amid the swirl of school threats, disciplinary missteps, and well-meaning intentions, a school community unravels in the wake of a campus theft and broken trust. While general audiences may see the film’s societal allegory, educators will immediately recognize the nuances and routines of daily school life. Yet, are the events too painfully relatable for teachers or administrators to appreciate them as entertainment? Thankfully, the film provides just enough space between audience and action, allowing the film to conclude for viewers like a haunted house survived. Through this catharsis, educators can gain insights not from simple moral lessons but the emotional truths the film reveals.