This narrative ethnography adopts an aesthetic lens to relay the various lived experiences of a non-traditional, Midwestern public high school during its final year in its original building. Extending upon previous research of high school dropouts, I examine how this one particular high school incorporated a self-paced curriculum with a focus on "family" to address the unique learning needs of students at risk of not graduating. By employing elements of grounded theory, narrative inquiry, and autoethnography, I share the stories of Walgut High School's (a pseudonym) roughly sixty students as they struggle to navigate their respective roles in a dominant cultural narrative to which they've never felt like they belonged. Through the extensive and organic voices of the primary participants-as well as my observations of my own participation in the school culture over the course of a year-this project serves to offer insights not only into the school experiences of marginalized adolescents, but also into Walgut's myriad successes and failures. In particular, this piece highlights the vitality of unconditionally caring or "hospitable" teachers (Derrida, 2000), while ultimately questioning the presumed utility of a high school diploma. The story concludes not by lauding the alternative mine created for Walgut's canaries, but by questioning the purpose and stability of all scholastic minds. As American schools continue making strides to accommodate and support the complex and oftentimes contradictory needs of their students, what it means to succeed as a teacher in (and prepare teachers for) these diversified, inclusive learning spaces is growing increasingly complicated. Indeed, given the shifting paradigm of American public education, teacher preparation programs must continue to adapt their practices and philosophies in order to equip their teacher candidates with the skills needed not only to thrive but also find purpose and meaning in schools similar to this project's Walgut. While this book doesn't claim to offer any answers to the myriad questions concerning the future of public schools, it does endeavor to offer a springboard from which all education stakeholders can continue engaging in healthy and productive discussions of how best to prepare students (and teachers) for autonomous, democratic, curious, creative, and compassionate citizenship both in and apart from their academic communities. To this end, rather than write from a detached, traditionally academic vantage, I have sought in these pages to compose from a personal (albeit limited), passionate (albeit subjective) and participatory (albeit someone marginalized) perspective. In my pursuit of social justice for the characters of Walgut High School, I begin first by exposing my own privileged role in perpetuating injustice. Only through recognizing and naming our own demons can we ever begin to exorcize the System writ large. Thus, in this book's lack, there is possibility; in its futility, hope.

This book is a practical resource designed to raise leadership educators understanding of culturally relevant leadership pedagogy for the purpose of creating inclusive learning spaces that are socially just for students. For leadership educators seeking personal and professional development to assist in building and enhancing their levels of cultural competence in leadership education, this book is a guide. The audience for the book ranges from new and entry-level leadership educator roles to senior scholars in leadership education. Operationalizing Culturally Relevant Leadership Learning, provides leadership educators with a substantive and comprehensive approach to the topic, offering personal narratives from leadership educators who have operationalized the model in their own personal and professional contexts. We believe that reframing leadership education with the culturally relevant leadership learning model, leadership educators will be able to integrate new insights into their own pedagogy and practice and move towards action. This book illustrates how leadership educators can shift the way they experience and facilitate leadership learning. By framing the operationalization of culturally relevant leadership learning, this book discusses the why, who, what, where, when, and how of developing culturally relevant and socially just leadership education. Readers of this text are encouraged to actively engage in the content through the questions each chapter pose and consider for themselves how culturally relevant leadership learning can be implemented in their own context.

Diversity and inclusion are vital practices in today's educational environments, both online and in-person. Implementing inclusive practices to support student development is critical to ensure they receive the best possible education and feel comfortable in the classroom. With the current shift to online teaching and learning, it is especially important to consider how diversity and equity are promoted in these new technological spaces. Advancing DEI and Creating Inclusive Environments in the Online Space considers the process of creating a caring and inclusive teaching and learning environment in online postsecondary institutions by addressing key issues such as creating sites of collaboration and engagement, ensuring and proactively delivering resources and student support, and developing hallmarks of inclusivity to support online course design and faculty development. Covering a range of topics such as strategic planning, social change, and assessment, this reference work is ideal for administrators, higher education faculty, researchers, scholars, practitioners, academicians, instructors, and students.