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Re-Storying Education: Decolonizing Your Practice Using a Critical Lens
Drawing on Indigenous knowledge to create a more equitable education system for allA valuable resource for educators looking to actively participate in reshaping the future for Indigenous, Black, and students of color in their classrooms, Re-Storying Education outlines how colonialism has shaped a school system at odds with Indigenous knowledge—and how this has been detrimental to generations of students.Drawing from her own experiences as a child of the Sixties Scoop and those of Indigenous students within the public school system, Indigenous academic Carolyn Roberts offers a deep understanding of how to support educators to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and teachers.Re-Storying Education contains valuable lesson and assessment ideas, fostering the development of a critical lens in education. Roberts offers questions for self-reflection, suggestions for professional action, recommended resources for further learning, personal anecdotes, her own decolonizing teaching practices, and music playlists that reflect the spirit of and work to uplift Indigenous voices.Re-Storying Education introduces holistic perspectives, respect for nature, and a deeper understanding of cultural diversity to enhance teaching practices and enrich education. It invites readers into an open dialogue in the pursuit of a more inclusive and just educational landscape.
224 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2024
42 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 23, 2025
As an educator, I found this to be an excellent book for me to learn and reflected on decolonizing my practice and creating more purposeful and inclusive spaces. There are always things we don’t see and don’t know, and the opportunity to better understand where I can do better (for Indigenous students and the student body at large) is a gift. The author is clear and focused, and it was easy to read, learn, and connect. I read the entire book in one sitting!
February 3, 2026
A serious must read for any teacher. I was blown away!
November 16, 2024
"This is absolutely a 5-star read and should be a read for EVERYONE; particularly those in education!
In Re-Storying Education, Carolyn Roberts dives into the idea of decolonizing education and offers a thoughtful guide for educators who want to challenge the colonial legacies still present in today’s classrooms. She encourages teachers to rethink what they teach and how they teach it, pushing for a more inclusive curriculum that includes diverse voices, especially Indigenous and non-Western perspectives.
Roberts has a great, easy-to-read writing style. She breaks down complex ideas in a way that makes them feel approachable (..."as though I were sitting at the kitchen table with you having a conversation, like an Aunty.") without sacrificing depth. The book isn’t just theoretical—it’s full of practical advice, with each chapter wrapping up with reflection questions and concrete steps to help educators put the ideas into action.
A major theme in the book is how colonial histories and power dynamics are still shaping education today, often pushing out marginalized knowledge systems. Roberts advocates for creating spaces where all students, especially Indigenous students, can see themselves reflected in the curriculum. She stresses that decolonization is an ongoing process and calls on teachers to examine their own practices and biases while actively working to make education more inclusive.
Roberts offers useful strategies for teachers who want to start making changes in their classrooms, like:
Bringing Indigenous knowledge and diverse global perspectives into lessons.
Updating course materials to reflect more inclusive histories and cultures.
Fostering open discussions about race, identity, and power.
Connecting with communities and families to create a more culturally responsive learning environment.
Re-Storying Education is a must-read for educators who want to make their classrooms more inclusive and culturally responsive. It’s a great mix of theory and practical advice that gives teachers the tools they need to start decolonizing their teaching practices and building a more just and equitable learning environment."
In Re-Storying Education, Carolyn Roberts dives into the idea of decolonizing education and offers a thoughtful guide for educators who want to challenge the colonial legacies still present in today’s classrooms. She encourages teachers to rethink what they teach and how they teach it, pushing for a more inclusive curriculum that includes diverse voices, especially Indigenous and non-Western perspectives.
Roberts has a great, easy-to-read writing style. She breaks down complex ideas in a way that makes them feel approachable (..."as though I were sitting at the kitchen table with you having a conversation, like an Aunty.") without sacrificing depth. The book isn’t just theoretical—it’s full of practical advice, with each chapter wrapping up with reflection questions and concrete steps to help educators put the ideas into action.
A major theme in the book is how colonial histories and power dynamics are still shaping education today, often pushing out marginalized knowledge systems. Roberts advocates for creating spaces where all students, especially Indigenous students, can see themselves reflected in the curriculum. She stresses that decolonization is an ongoing process and calls on teachers to examine their own practices and biases while actively working to make education more inclusive.
Roberts offers useful strategies for teachers who want to start making changes in their classrooms, like:
Bringing Indigenous knowledge and diverse global perspectives into lessons.
Updating course materials to reflect more inclusive histories and cultures.
Fostering open discussions about race, identity, and power.
Connecting with communities and families to create a more culturally responsive learning environment.
Re-Storying Education is a must-read for educators who want to make their classrooms more inclusive and culturally responsive. It’s a great mix of theory and practical advice that gives teachers the tools they need to start decolonizing their teaching practices and building a more just and equitable learning environment."
January 9, 2025
It's always a good idea to expose yourself to a diverse range of perspectives and, as somebody who teaches university chemistry, trying to work out what is meant by "decolonizing education" is always a bit of a mystery. Perhaps because most examples I've encountered have tended to pertain to choices made in social science curricula or literature for language arts classes. And I'd certainly much rather hear what indigenous individuals have to say about the matter than other white people. So, I was interested to see what this book had to say.
It has a lot of good historical context. As I've seen in the past, the concrete examples tended to be arts-centric. And the descriptions of "western colonial teaching" vs. "wholistic/decolonial teaching" sounded a whole lot more like what I'd describe as "not-so-good teaching" vs. "better teaching". I've never considered asking open-ended questions and having students contribute their own thoughts, ideas and opinions to be anticolonial. Nor have I considered allowing them to problem solve in groups or sitting at the side of the class while they take turns leading the problem solving to have anything to do with whether I'm indigenous or settler. FWIW, I don't consider myself to be either. I'm an immigrant. I am not the same as my peers whose families have been in North America for generations, and I have my own issues with the national anthem and how it actively excludes me.
Anyway, this was an interesting read. I'd really like to see something that actually addresses examples relevant to the physical sciences beyond the fairly obvious notion that your classroom needs to be welcoming to and inclusive of all students regardless of background. Because that's just good teaching
It has a lot of good historical context. As I've seen in the past, the concrete examples tended to be arts-centric. And the descriptions of "western colonial teaching" vs. "wholistic/decolonial teaching" sounded a whole lot more like what I'd describe as "not-so-good teaching" vs. "better teaching". I've never considered asking open-ended questions and having students contribute their own thoughts, ideas and opinions to be anticolonial. Nor have I considered allowing them to problem solve in groups or sitting at the side of the class while they take turns leading the problem solving to have anything to do with whether I'm indigenous or settler. FWIW, I don't consider myself to be either. I'm an immigrant. I am not the same as my peers whose families have been in North America for generations, and I have my own issues with the national anthem and how it actively excludes me.
Anyway, this was an interesting read. I'd really like to see something that actually addresses examples relevant to the physical sciences beyond the fairly obvious notion that your classroom needs to be welcoming to and inclusive of all students regardless of background. Because that's just good teaching
April 27, 2025
Beautifully written and researched book. Filled with hope and thoughtfulness but also a strong call to arms to change the way we look at and deliver education for the good of all students. If you are an educator this is a must read.
May 21, 2025
I broadly agree with the author and appreciate her perspectives and her knowledge. Unfortunately, like may education books, I still don't feel particularly well-equipped to implement large-scale changes in my classroom (but perhaps that isn't the point, anyway).
August 7, 2025
One of the best books I’ve read this summer. Loaded with ideas, stories, and ressources… but most importantly the statement that our job as teachers is to teach the truth about colonization and invite the original people of these lands to teach their culture 🥰
December 23, 2024
Very helpful to those of us about to enter education.
February 2, 2025
Some good reminders for us all, not just educators.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews