Introduction: Classroom Struggles

Abstract

At the heart of education are teacher–student interactions. Indeed, the relationship between teachers and their students defines education as a concept and an institution. This relationship is the subject of countless research studies, policies, recommended practices, media reports, political platforms, public debates, and private conversations. The common, underlying concern of nearly all of these discussions is student outcomes—namely, what do students need from teachers to succeed in becoming good or better participants in global capitalism? Student abilities, struggles, and progress receive the bulk of attention while teachers’ needs, struggles, perspectives, and professional growth are often ignored. The unspoken assumption seems to be that as long as students are thriving, teachers must be thriving as well.