Tinkering Towards Socially Just Teaching: Moving from Critical Theory to Practice

This article narrates the experience of one middle‐school English teacher as she comes to learn about and practise critical literacy. This research documents some of the challenges associated with integrating this innovative practice in today's US classrooms. Furthermore, the author raises questions about how teacher educators can provide realistic portraits of critical literacy for their students to encourage future teachers to embrace rather than abandon this socially just practice.