You Can't Celebrate That! Navigating the Deep Waters of Social Justice Teaching
Reviewed by Wilma Gold
Book Review
Finding ways to bring social justice, diversity, and inclusion into our educational world is a challenging journey, especially at this time. You Can’t Celebrate That! by Nadia Jaboneta, and edited by Ann Pelo, and Margie Carter, shares one teacher’s story of personal reflection, openness with children, and partnering with families to explore racial identity, religious celebrations, and racism. It was one comment of one student that set her on a path of personal and professional social conscious education.
Jaboneta traveled beyond anti-bias curriculum to engage in critical thinking in developing a truly socially just education for herself, the children and their families. It was a beautiful and inspirational partnership with families and colleagues that supported the children in the program.
“This book is just what early childhood educators need right now to understand our own racial and cultural biases, and to move forward to transformative teaching and learning.” Daniel Meier, Professor of Elementary Education, San Francisco State University.
This article is part of our Newsletter 2026 Issue 2. See all articles.
