I’m James Sheldon, and this is my website, named (appropriately enough) JamesSheldon.Com.
The key question that’s intrigued me for the last seven years seems simple at first. The question is – why is it that some people can’t learn mathematics, and what can be done about it?. Along the way, I’ve stopped to explore queer theory, disability studies, special education, and mathematics education; this site will guide you through those journeys.
What I’ve come to realize is that this is not just a problem that resides in an individual student’s head. When a student can’t learn math, it’s psychological, cultural, social, and above all, political.
I invite you to join me in this political project in whatever shape or form this might take for you. Some possibilities include:
- Reading one of my papers and commenting on it using the comment features of this site
- Joining the Queering Math/Math Ed listserv: https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/queeringmathandmathed
- Joining the Reframing Interventions listserv:https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/reframinginterventions
- Forwarding one of the links from this site to someone you think might be interested.
- Or some idea of your own that really excited you – I love hearing new ideas, discussing them, and running with them…
I can be reached by email at jsheldon (at) jamessheldon dot com or by leaving a comment on any of these pages.
All material on this site is licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0 and may be freely copied and reused, even for commercial purposes, provided that it is attributed to me and kept under these same terms.
Here are some links to published articles of mine:
Hi, Mr. Sheldon. I just read your article, “The Pedagogy of the Student,” and I wanted to reach out and thank you! I’m a teacher for individuals learning English language, and I’ve been researching how to promote agency in my classes through critical pedagogy (CP). I noticed the emphasis on action in CP, which is also present in the agency literature, and it didn’t jive with my experiences with students or as a student myself. Your thoughts gave voice to my concerns and helped me to begin exploring another way – hopefully, a more accurate and equitable way – of understanding agency. I suppose you could say that I was reading as a “receptive agent.” 😉 Thank you so much!!!
Hi James,
This book of mine is a critical counter text to normative contemplative pedagogy and includes some critiques of counseling, and does include directions for a more critical social mindfulness in K-12. I am a retired counselor educator who was frustrated with the lack of interest in critical thinking in the field and in particular when it comes to contemplative practices so any consideration is appreciated.
Thank you.
All the best,
David
David Forbes, PhD, LMHC
Emeritus Associate Professor
Urban Education Doctoral Program CUNY Graduate School
School Counseling program (retired)
School of Education
Brooklyn College/CUNY
https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/mindfulness-and-its-discontents