How Do I Improve my Teaching of Children with Dyslexia?: A living theory of learning to teach for social justice

This book addresses the topic of social justice in the context of learners with specific learning disability (dyslexia). Dr McDonagh uses self- inquiry action research methods to interrogate her own practices as a teacher involved with these learners. This thesis is presented in a captivating manner and the author manages to convince the reader of her sincere compassion for her learners and of her passion for social justice in her practice. Her study is strongly rooted in widely acknowledged theories pertaining to social justice, dyslexia, teaching and learning methods. Driven by her ontological values, she embarked on a self-study action research process in order to address those aspects which she identified as endorsing the learners' learned helplessness. In doing so she generated her own living theory of learning to teach for social justice. A major achievement of this book is that it reveals the limitations of dominant practices of educational research and how to move beyond these in a disciplined and critical way. The book is essential reading for educators, those involved with professional development and those who have experiences with dyslexia.