ABSTRACT
Power dynamics are constantly at play in secondary schools. For example, teachers regularly learn and implement new standards or initiatives from the state, district, or school administration. This type of power dynamicthe top-down format-may be the most familiar. However, there are many other types of power happening in schools. For example, one day I was talking to my class and said, “Ms. Smith and I . . .” Before I finished my sentence, Dustin said, “Nope. You’re wrong, Ms. Devereaux. You’re supposed to say, ‘Ms. Smith and me.’” I responded, “Actually, using ‘I’ is Standard English.” Dustin scoffed, “I’m not going to say that! All my friends would laugh at me.” In my interaction with Dustin, a different power dynamic exists: the teacher, school, and grammar book are powerless against Dustin and his concern about being accepted by his community.
