Name: Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher
Occupation: Community College President and Best-Selling Author
Current Book: Learning for Ownership
Degrees and Certifications: Doctor of education in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in English and multicultural education; Certificates in international education, and urban and regional planning.
How many books do you plan to release through the Learning for Ownership series?
The Learning for Ownership series is planned as a trilogy. The second book in the series is an anthology and focuses on empowering Latino students for success in the 21st century; the third book focuses on best practices.
Why is it so important for educators to take part in the Learning for Ownership Progressive Movement?
It is important for educators to become involved in the Learning for Ownership Progressive educational Movement to radically shift the paradigm of what is currently happening to children of color in the educational system. Currently, African American and Latino children are dropping out of school at higher rates than others; they are referred to disciplinary alternative education programs more often than others; they are placed in special education programs more frequently than others – even when there is no basis to support their placement in such programs; and the college and workforce-readiness rates among African American and Latino children are much lower than others.
What’s your main focus when speaking to educators about minority students and state tests?
Simply speaking, test-taking is something that students are required to do, so we want to keep the students positive and engage them in standardized test-taking seminars to ensure that students are confident — not intimidated by the process — and properly equipped for peak performance.
What five books should every educator read?
The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson
Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paulo Freire
Teaching as a Subversive Activity by Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner
The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America by Jonathan Kozol
The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner
What upcoming projects are you working on that our readers should know about?
I have upcoming book signings at Barnes & Noble and invite the reading audience to attend. On April 11from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I will be signing at the Barnes & Noble located at 4800 Calhoun. On April 14, I will be signing at the Barnes & Noble in River Oaks from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on April 21, I will be signing at the Barnes & Noble in Pasadena from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information. please visit www.margaretfordfisher.tateauthor.com www.tatepublishing.com.
