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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
In Mending Education, Karen Gross and Edward K. S. Wang look into the pandemic's impact on education, and areas like trauma-sensitive approaches and mental wellness. They identify five positive outcomes, such as anti-racism improvements and innovative teaching methods from online learning. Gross and Wang talk about serious issues like resource disparities, absenteeism, and increased bullying, particularly among Asian American students, and propose strategies like home visits and social-emotional learning integration to support students. They introduce the "tree-planting theory," which argues that lasting educational reform requires collective belief in future benefits, similar to planting trees whose shade future generations will enjoy. Gross and Wang lean into the need for leadership, effective communication, and replicable strategies to scale positive changes, while championing partnerships and holistic approaches to sustain educational improvement over time.
Karen Gross and Edward Wang’s exploration of post-pandemic education in Mending Education offers an honest, well-structured analysis that is both practical and deeply insightful. Their ability to translate real issues, like the transition from online to in-person learning, into clear plans of action makes clear what exactly it is that educators face today. The book's strength lies in its mix of theory and actionable guidance, such as chunking content and incorporating social-emotional learning to meet students' needs. I particularly liked the metaphor of a three-legged stool, with connectedness, creativity, and community partnerships, which stands out as a powerful framework for sustaining educational improvements. Their discussions on empathy, mindfulness, and play reflect a holistic understanding of learning, while references to communication experts like Chip and Dan Heath tie their arguments to verifiable facts. Overall, this is a resource that provides realistic solutions that not only address immediate needs but create a roadmap for long-term change in education. Very highly recommended.
