ABSTRACT
Social justice has become a buzzword among teacher educators, appearing in academic journals, conference presentations, and school of education Web sites. The following example illustrates the point:
As I reflect on my experiences in education, and especially on my experiences in international education, I am constantly reminded that our educational system in the United States is rooted in a firm belief in democracy. Although we may find some exceptions in practice, basically the way we have organized schooling, the way we teach, the questions we ask, and our firm belief in the value of the individual are rooted in a democratic tradition founded on social justice. Education is our prime vehicle for creating the “just” society. In all of our efforts in education we are preparing citizens to lead productive lives in a democratic society characterized by social justice. (Switzer, 2004, pp. 1–2)
