The Ethic of Caring: Clarifying the Foundation of Multicultural Education

Angela: On a Critical Curve

“…But the powerful have the power and they don't want to change -why would they want to potentially lose power?" (fieldnotes, 4/13/06) Situated within an ethic of care (Pang et al, 1999), Angela continues this problem posing in her thesis (Orr, 2008, p. 19), where she addresses the importance of a critical media literacy curriculum, while noting that the lack of appropriate technology in many schools. Angela asks, "Who is left without an effective media literacy curriculum?"…”

“…Finally, Angela also began to engage in the professional social studies community through leadership positions in the local affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Upon reflection, Angela noted that her connection to critical constructivism, and more specifically her attention to a caring and socially just education, focused on the learning of all of her students (see for example, Pang, Rivera, & Mora, 1999) was noticeable early in her graduate program. She articulated her beliefs in a literature review in which she was asked to identify her theoretical stance.…”

“…Note that the student said that people felt like they were able to talk, not just that they were able to talk. Angela has high expectations of all of her students (Gay, 2002) and is aware of the need for a safe environment (Pang et al, 1999). This was reinforced by Angela as she prepared her seventh graders for one discussion.…”

CHAPTER 3: Daring to Care

“…Such settings have strong reciprocal relationships, characterized by teachers truly knowing their learners and engaging in meaningful and respectful dialogue with them (Gay, 2000;Nieto, 2003;Pang, Rivera, & Mora, 1999) . Valuing diverse groups and social orientations tends to affirm the academic and social potential of all students.…”

“…Valuing diverse groups and social orientations tends to affirm the academic and social potential of all students. Pang, Rivera, and Mora (1999) call for " caring-centered multicultural education" to "incorporate both a strong ethic of care and the importance of culture as a blended foundation for a strong educational orientation" (p. 3). Nieto (2003) emphasizes the centrality and power of a sense of community and belonging: "For students whose culture and language backgrounds differ from the mainstream, care is especially relevant because when students feel their teachers care about them, they also feel they belong" (p.42).…”