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The Power of Teacher Talk investigates the connections between two persistent educational challenges: high numbers of students who drop out and of teachers who leave the profession. Based on a study of thousands of daily interactions between new justice-oriented English teachers and their students, this book proposes that teachers who show a commitment to equity in their communications can positively affect student retention and are more likely to remain in the profession. Blending vivid descriptions of classroom life with equity and language research, the author urges teachers to be aware of and intentional about the power of their interactions with students—in everything from their classroom décor and informal hallway chats to their responses to challenging moments during class and in after-class discussions. This must-read book shifts the narrative on what kinds of teaching practices matter and how teachers can and do work toward equity.

“I could not put it down. Instantly, I was drawn to Bieler’s firsthand depictions of the four equity-oriented, justice-committed public high school English teachers she features.”
—From the Foreword by Valerie Kinloch, University of Pittsburgh

“This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding and improving life in schools.”
—Marc Lamont Hill, Temple University

“An indispensable resource for new and practicing teachers alike.”
—Linda Christensen, director, Oregon Writing Project at Lewis & Clark College