Dr. Evans-Santiago released new book: “Mistakes We Have Made: Implications for Social Justice Educators”

Teacher Education Department chair and professor’s book receives recognition and praise

By California State University, Bakersfield

April 22^nd, 2021

Last spring, Dr. Bre Evans-Santiago, chair and assistant professor in the Teacher Education Department at California State University Bakersfield, released a book entitled “Mistakes We Have Made: Implications for Social Justice Educators.”

However, it was just before the shutdown from COVID-19. Because of that, Dr. Evans-Santiago and the other authors involved weren’t able to go through with the talks and other plans they had for it. There was a lot of uncertainty around it.

“What I really wanted to get from the authors for this text was the sense of vulnerability,” said Dr. Evans-Santiago. “To be able to share that we have a growth mindset, we learn as we go and that it’s okay. I think a lot of times, and we've talked about this just within the university, as we're looking at educational gaps or supporting underrepresented minorities or what have you. We think that there might be this environment or mindset of, we know it all, and we're here to help you. And I'm trying to present the idea that we don't know it all, and that we've made mistakes along the way too, just like you will.”

Photo of Dr. Evans-Santiago;s book cover

The book features 11 authors and 14 chapters, including three sections by themes of inclusive classrooms, curriculum implementation and professionalism. Within those chapters and themes, various discussions are discussed with educators from Texas, Illinois, Kansas and a few others from the CSU system, including CSU Bakersfield and CSU Northridge.

“It’s just more of that perspective that it’s okay to make mistakes, because if you learn from it and do better or improve upon your practices, then we will all benefit. And I think that's really important because it's hard for us as adults to set our pride aside and to say that we have messed up or that we didn't know,” added Dr. Evans-Santiago.

In fact, it’s currently being used for one of the Teacher Education classes and is also an e-book.

Dr. Evans-Santiago shared that the book tells what the research is today from people who have been where the students are. At the end of each chapter, there is also a section for reflection, so readers can think and take action.

“It's definitely practitioner-based, for teachers or teacher educators. And it's focused solely on social justice. It’s taking everyday situations, but making us think about it in a social justice perspective,” said Dr. Evans-Santiago.

One chapter in the book addresses being professional and what that means in terms of social justice.

“That means that me as a person of color is automatically a role model. I didn’t ask for that, but now I need to make sure that when I step in that classroom, another Black child may look at me, as that person to guide them. There’s a different perspective whenever we start thinking about our cultures and when we bring in ourselves and our positionalities into the classroom,” said Dr. Evans-Santiago.

Since the book’s release, Dr. Evans-Santiago explained that one of the chapters will have to be updated since the California bill for the CROWN Act has now been passed. The CROWN Act states you cannot discriminate based on the way people wear their hair.

“The students really appreciate the perspective of saying, ‘Hey, as a teacher, I did this. I messed up, so because I did, here's what you should do, so you don't do what I did.’ It’s very personal,” said Dr. Evans-Santiago, and added that some of the book is written in vignette form.

Aside from student praise, the book has also received recognition from the American Educational Studies Association (AESA) Critics’ Choice Book Award and received an honorable mention for Outstanding Book Award for the Society of Professors of Education.

Dr. Evans-Santiago is honored and humbled by the attention the book is receiving.

Through the e-book, readers can also get an interactive experience with news reports and YouTube videos.

“It’s interactive and fun as well,” said Dr. Evans-Santiago, who added that it is essentially a guide for teacher, but in a place of “vulnerability all-encompassing social justice.”

To purchase “Mistakes We Have Made: Implications for Social Justice Educators, visit Amazon, Myers Education Press or contact Dr. Evans-Santiago (bevans9@csub.edu) for more information.