Code Red

"Code Red: Conversations and Solutions for an Educational System in Crisis is a must read for public and private school educators, administrators, education faculty, parents and anyone interested in improving the state of education in the 21st century. The book serves as a guide to current issues and challenges in education, including such salient topics as school violence, teacher retention, educator burnout, and inclusivity. I highly recommend the book for those interested in exploring the issues and possible solutions concerning educational systems which are in conflict and crisis today!"

Jerry Aldridge, Professor Emeritus of Education, The University of Alabama at Birmingham

"Code Red: Conversations and Solutions for an Educational System in Crisis is a must read for all educators, community leaders, School Board members, and education policy makers. This book will help every reader understand what the experience of school is like in the second decade of the 21st Century for students, teachers, and principals. It is an honest portrayal of the myriad ways that schools and the policies and procedures which govern schools are broken and breaking those who work within schools. But it also provides a portrait of the possible and gives us hope. From my experience working with schools and school leaders, hope is in short supply. These short engaging essays, readable, compelling and accessible to all knowledge and experience levels, are a first start."

Elizabeth Altieri, Ph.D., Professor, School of Teacher Education and Leadership and Co-Director, Virginia Inclusive Practices Center at Radford University

“Code Red: Conversations and Solutions for an Educational System in Crisis is a must read for all Americans. As the ‘Introduction’ asserts, we are all responsible for the education of our children. Schools are microcosms of society at large, therefore any dilemma or crisis that influences society also affects schools. In both arenas, we must critically analyze our current practices to plan how we move forward. As someone who both teaches high school and trains future teachers, I recognize the influence of standardized testing, technology, social and mainstream media, political involvement, parental disengagement, and many of the other challenges mentioned in the book. This book shines a light on many issues that society is not talking about and how those issues affect the reality of our current educational system. Indeed, it is a Code Red.”

Vincent W. Youngbauer PhD, Bibb County School District

Introduction by Anna Dunlap Higgins-Harrell

Part I

Chapter 1

Code Red by Joseph R. Jones

Chapter 2

“We Don’t Talk about Bruno:” Seeing the Needs of Our Neurodivergent Students and Their Families by Lindsay Tisdale Harrell

Chapter 3

Trauma-Informed Colleagues by Jennifer Medgull

Chapter 4

Paper and Pencil, The Building Blocks of Learning by Rebecca Doyle

Chapter 5

Speaking a Truth: Interview with a Veteran Educator by Joseph R. Jones

Chapter 6

Teachers Have Lost Their Voices by Michael Jeffcoat

Chapter 7

A Voice from the Field by Anna Dunlap Higgins-Harrell

Chapter 8

Technology and Its Effects on Student Behavior by Jadziah Ogletree

Chapter 9

From Chemist to Educator: Navigating an Unconventional Path to Education Innovation by Tenecia Powe

Chapter 10

No Longer Part of the Problem by Jessica Traylor

Chapter 11

Nobility and Salaries: A Reciprocity of Value by Joseph R. Jones

Chapter 12

So, You’re a New Teacher: Bless Your Heart! by Julie Little and Randall Brookins

Part II

Chapter 13

Creating Professional Learning Opportunities for Our Teachers by Noah Lawton Harrell

Chapter 14

Tough Customers by Emily Salmon

Chapter 15

If You Watch Sports, Then You Want Instructional Coaches by Jennifer Medgull

Chapter 16

All In and Burned Out: Why Principals Are Leaving by Adam Dovico

Chapter 17

Instruction, Identity, and Inclusivity: What Can Teacher Preparation Programs Learn from Gay Male Teachers in the South? by Joseph R. Jones

Chapter 18

Superhumans: Student Teachers in a Time of Crisis by Erinn Bentley

Chapter 19

Promoting Student Engagement and Enhancing Outcomes Through Community Involvement by Noah Lawton Harrell

Chapter 20

Pressing Issues and Contemporary Concerns by Fran Dundore

Chapter 21

Violence in Schools by Forrest R. Parker III

Chapter 22

Recruiting Teacher Candidates from Marginalized Groups by Stephen Raynie

Chapter 23

From Great Challenge Comes Great Gain: Promoting Collaborative Planning in K-12 Schools by Noah Lawton Harrell

Chapter 24

Schools in Crisis: The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning in the Lives of Rural Middle School Students by Kraig Howell

Chapter 25

The Unique Needs of Generation Z in the Educational Work Environment by Nila Burt and Joseph R. Jones

About the Authors

Index

Joseph R. Jones

Joseph R. Jones, Ph.D. is a Professor of Education and qualitative researcher whose research resides within a critical theory paradigm. His research primarily examines inclusivity within educational environments, specifically heteronormativity. He is the recipient of several awards including the 2017 Stonewall Service Award from CCCC/NCTE. He is also the recipient of the Georgia Council of Teachers of English 2020 Teacher of the Year Award.

Anna Dunlap Higgins-Harrell

Anna Dunlap Higgins-Harrell has a master’s degree in English with Teacher Preparation and a PhD in English. Her research focus began with Emily Dickinson and then moved to Appalachian Studies. For the last decade, her scholarship efforts have centered on excellence in teaching and learning.

Julie A. Little

Julie Little, EdD is an Assistant Professor of Education. She spent 20 years as a K-12 educator in Special and General Education; she now teaches Special Education courses to teacher candidates. Julie’s research interests include ungrading, relational pedagogy, service learning, and utilizing the Principles of Universal Design (UD) for Learning in higher education.