By Jennifer Brown
Equity and Social Justice in The Library Learning Commons
Abstract
Teacher-librarian Jennifer Brown writes and reflects about the potential of the library learning commons design and practice to address equity and social justice in co-planning learning and teaching experiences, as well as shares the developed concept of an “open maker forum” for students. Brown includes reflective questions and resources for teacher-librarians to help build capacity in addressing equity and social justice, and provides two recent library learning commons project examples accompanied by illustrative photos: 1) a staff wide inquiry into embedding First Nation, Métis and Inuit perspectives in practice, and 2) a daily open learning opportunity for student voice in the makerspace movement.
Jennifer Brown is a teacher librarian and ESL/Special Education teacher in the Peel District School Board in Brampton, Ontario. In her current role at a new K to 8 dual track school, Jennifer has had the tremendous pleasure of building and co-constructing the library learning commons collection and philosophy right from scratch. Since beginning her teaching career in the late 1990s, Jennifer has always had a passion for and interest in social justice and equity. Understanding that power and privilege impact both systemic and daily structures in our schools, Jennifer endeavours to use her privilege to make room for the voices and lived experiences of those around her by grounding her work in equity and social justice. Jennifer is grateful to be the proud mother to four lovely daughters and wife to a fellow teacher, all of whom support her passion for social justice advocacy.
You can follow Jenn on Twitter @JennMacBrown