Education Book Reviews

Kuykendall, Crystal (2004). From Rage to Hope: Strategies for Reclaiming Black & Hispanic Students. Second Edition. Bloomington, IN: National Educational Service.

Thousands of educators have been inspired by Dr. Crystal Kuykendall’s uplifting speeches throughout the United States. In her 2nd edition of From Rage to Hope, Kuykendall brings readers a compelling and dynamically informative insight to the academic underachievement, apathy, and rage among America’s Black and Hispanic youth. Kuykendall’s credentials range from a former primary, junior high, and senior high school teacher to a university instructor and a guidance counselor for potential high school dropouts. She holds a doctorate in educational administration and a law degree. Her dedication to the field of education and the coined phrase “Merchants of Hope” is the foundational message that sings out to those who posses a love for teaching.

Kuykendall describes a “Merchant of Hope” as anyone who enriches or benefits the life of another. Individuals who educate, encourage, inspire, uplift, and mentor are marvelous “Merchants of Hope” (p. xv). Kuykendall uses this premise throughout her book; those who choose to work in the field of education are indeed a special breed. She is not just speaking about teachers being “Merchants of Hope;” she includes people from the immediate community through the state level. Classroom teachers may find that the strategies the author suggests would be well received by Black and Hispanic students, will be effective in reaching all students.

From Rage to Hope is divided into 11 chapters and one appendix. The first four chapters provide the reader with information about the cultural background of Black and Hispanic students. The author asserts an urgency for change in how we approach these students in order to build and maintain a positive academic outlook and a strong social self-image for later success. Chapters five through seven are a teachers’ dream. The chapters are full of powerful strategies to help teachers deal with discipline problems. Kuykendall includes helpful pointers regarding how a teacher’s or any school personnel’s behavior may be the trigger to a student’s behavior. She asks educators to self-reflect on their own behavior and their beliefs about kids. The author strongly supports Ron Edmonds' views saying “Schools can enhance student achievement regardless of home influence or socio-economic status” (p. 21). She cautions educators not to use damaging terminology, such as “culturally deprived”, “underprivileged” or “economically disadvantaged”. She states that teachers will find gratification if they look past these labels.

The final section focuses on parent involvement, magnifying the teacher’s power by mentoring, school leadership and focusing on the future. The author lists eleven strategies to get parents more involved and three diagnostic worksheets for assessing teachers and students’ attitudes and behaviors. In these chapters Kuykendall provides the steps to change for our schools, which she feels simply need a boost of inspiration. As a woman who is greatly admired for all that she has overcome, she states that the real challenge for today’s educational leadership is to commit themselves 100% to youth. “When more teachers increase their commitment and their repertoire of teaching techniques, more students will be able to succeed, and more educators will reap the real joy this profession is capable of providing” (p. 243).

The ultimate message sent in this book is the author’s belief in the concept “Merchants of Hope”. The problem of Black and Hispanic youth underachieving in schools today will continue to escalate unless all adults in contact with them confront the real challenges to solve problems and enhance commitment to ensure student success. The author speaks to the heart of the reader, leaving a feeling of inspiration and hope that our professional excellence and student success can happen if we chose to make a difference.

The Appendix contains reproducible worksheets that come in a checklist format to collect quick informal but important assessments about students and teachers as “Merchants of Hope”. The worksheets include: “Academic Self-Image and Social Self – Image,” which assists teachers to gather information on the students; “Teaching Behaviors that Improve Student Achievement”, that serves as a self evaluation for teachers to improve their approach; “Student Activities that Enhance Self-Image”, which helps improve students self-image; “Counseling and Mentoring Behaviors that Improve Student Motivation”, that facilitates effectiveness of individuals participating in positive youth development; and “Leadership Skills for Facilitating Student Success and School Improvement”, a helpful checklist for administrators to rate their effectiveness as agents of change.

Summary Comments. I have heard Dr. Kuykendall speak and now have read her book. I highly recommend both to educators and administrators. In my opinion, this book provides the next step in knowing how to scaffold success for our Black and Hispanic students who are underachieving. From Rage to Hope not only states clearly ‘how to’ teach Black and Hispanic students to ensure their success but also gives a shot of inspiration to get it done! I believe that if we as educators follow these simple yet profound steps in our teaching the results could surpass our wildest dreams for our vulnerable students.

References

Edmonds, R. R. (1980). Effective education for minority pupils: Brown confounded or confirmed. In D. Bell(Ed.), Shades of brown: New perspectives on school desegregation. New York: Teachers College Press.

Pages: 276     Price:     ISBN: 1932127151

Reviewed by Milcah Hawk, School Psychologist, Adams State College & University of Colorado at Denver

  • Education Book Reviews Introduction Page
    		•
  • Education Review/brief reviews
  • Authors Page
    		•
  • Titles Page
    		•
  • Subjects Page
    		•
  • Publishers Page
    		•

    Michigan State University Libraries
    Page editor: Kate Corby

    MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution