Equity & Access Teaching Writing

Pushing Back Against Slow Violence in Traditional English Curriculum

By National Writing Project
Back to NWP Radio

Jessica's headshot with name and NWP Radio logo on blue background.

Download | Subscribe: Apple / Spotify / Soundcloud

NWP Radio visits with Jessica Rubin, author of “Embracing gentle resistance to the slow violence of traditional English curriculum.” The article explains how a secondary English teacher, Kristen, maintained a commitment to nonviolence in her teaching through “gentle resistance” to the subtle violences embedded in her school’s curriculum and practices. By making purposeful, small-scale changes over time—such as omitting certain texts, reordering content, and elevating student voices—Kristen was able to push back against the slow violence of traditional English instruction without risking her job or professional relationships.

This post is part of the NWP Radio collection.

Up next

Content type
Meet Cosmic Writers
By National Writing Project
Listen in to learn about Cosmic Writers’ commitment and approach to creative writing and why it is so important from a Cosmic Writer herself!
Read more
Content type
The Write Time with Author Catherine Con Morse and Educator Katherine Shizuko Suyeyasu
By National Writing Project
Content type
The Write Time with Author Rob Cameron and Educator Max Limric
By National Writing Project
This episode features Rob Cameron, a teacher, linguist, and writer who organizes the Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Writers and founded the Constellations Mentorship program for the Octavia Project. Rob is interviewed by Max Limric, a pre-service elementary teacher who became interested in the power of children's and young adult literature, having grown up with speculative stories like Harry Potter and The NeverEnding Story.
Read more

Also Recommended

See all
Content type
The Write Time with Write Out Ambassador James Fester and Educator Maggie Delgado-Chernick
By National Writing Project
The Write Time joins Write Out in this special episode featuring author-educator and Write Out Ambassador, James Fester.
Read more
Content type
The Write Time with Author Derrick Barnes and Educator Dr. Chandra Maxwell
By National Writing Project
Award-winning author Derrick Barnes, National Book Award Finalist and two-time Kirkus Prize winner known for Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut and Victory. Stand!, joins Dr. Chandra Maxwell, an NWP teacher-leader and equity-focused literacy researcher, to discuss the power of intentional writing and diverse literature in education.
Read more
Content type
Meet Cosmic Writers
By National Writing Project
Listen in to learn about Cosmic Writers’ commitment and approach to creative writing and why it is so important from a Cosmic Writer herself!
Read more