A Curriculum of Agape: Reimagining Love in the Classroom

by Stacy C. Johnson

Overview

The term agape has become something of a mainstream concept, as it has graced America's television screens through commercial media. This book investigates agape and presents a timely, novel argument regarding current strains on U.S. education and student learning outcomes. It interrogates the impact of a loveless, meritocratic and exclusively Eurocentric learning environment on student engagement and motivation, reimagining a more effective outcome when unconditional love guides both curriculum and pedagogy. Through an interdisciplinary lens of western and non-western scholarship and storytelling, the author shares her journey along a 30 year practice of a curriculum of agape--a hidden and explicit curriculum of a selfless and radical love, ever pursuant of the unfinished quest for social justice in the learning space. A Curriculum of Agape--Reimagining Love in the Classroom is a theoretical and practical guide for prioritizing and actualizing unconditional love in the classroom as a relevant and necessary approach to maximizing student learning outcomes.

"A Curriculum of Agape is a self-help book, love story, and practical guide for anyone who is interested in becoming a teacher or for those looking to rekindle their relationship with the profession. Through vulnerability and honesty, Dr. Johnson connects to her reader and shares her experiences as a veteran teacher, examining how attitudes, institutions, and structures have infl uenced the teaching profession. Dr. Johnson reminds us that teaching and learning is an emotional and professional calling, where a curriculum centered on love will help us achieve more equity and belonging in our classrooms and communities."

--Dr. Breanne Hicks Cultivator for Interdisciplinary Studies and English Teacher, Saint Mary's Hall, San Antonio, TX

"This book should be in the hands of every teacher and educational leader in the field. Dr. Johnson layers the complexity of equity, inclusion, and restorative justice practices, with the development of student identity in a way that is accessible to educators."

--Dr. Paula Johnson Chief Equity and Diversity Officer Judson Independent School District, San Antonio, TX

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781636673578
Publisher:	Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers
Publication date:	01/18/2024
Pages:	190
Product dimensions:	5.91(w) x 8.86(h) x (d)

About the Author

Stacy C. Johnson is a retired K-12 educator, now an Associate Professor of Practice in the College of Education and Human Development at The University of Texas San Antonio, and an adjunct instructor of Social Justice at Southern New Hampshire University. She holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction.

Table of Contents

Foreword – Preface – Acknowledgments – Introduction-How I Arrived at Agape – Agape Love in Theory – Love Is Not Immature – And How Are the Children? – Terms of Endearment – One Knee Doesn’t Bring Up a Child – Understanding Equity – Social and Academic Belonging – Cultural Belonging—"Sawubona: I See You" – Interpreting Their Behavior – Love Forgives All – Conclusion – Glossary – References – Notes on Contributors – Index.

Editorial Reviews

01/20/2025

Johnson draws from years of teaching experience in this uplifting debut, as she brings to life a unique way to transform broken classroom systems: the Agape method, an approach rooted in adaptation and teaching with unconditional love. In an educational context, this means truly understanding each individual student and tailoring teaching methods to meet their needs. Johnson shares her struggles and triumphs as a teacher, weaving academic depth into this deeply personal narrative, resulting in a distinctive blend of scholarly insight and heartfelt reflection. Starting with the discrimination she faced as a Black student, Johnson ties her past experiences to her contemporary teaching methods, building a convincing argument for her drive “to imbue a sense of value, agency, and self-determination into the learning space.” That drive propelled her to embrace the Agape framework, which she describes in detail, urging readers to create customized learning paths, nurture a classroom of collaboration and belonging, and, above all, demonstrate “unconditional curricular and pedagogical love.” That love is not about being a friend to students—or tolerating abuse—but is, instead, a well of “humble, others-centered concern” that springs from the joy of genuinely understanding each person on an individual level.

Along with abstract explorations of what Agape love looks like, Johnson applies it to daily teaching methods and offers many practical tools—notably, self-check questions to guide educators in their delivery of material—that help readers grasp the text’s meaning. Johnson acknowledges the potential for misinterpretation of Agape curriculum and addresses it with several cautionary detours, including acceptable touch allowances—any physical contact used to “satisfy self” is prohibited, but side hugs and high fives can be helpful, she writes—and a dive into the meaning of respect, especially when navigating racial and religious disparities. Educators seeking thoughtful methods to develop “the whole child as well as a healthy society” will find this rewarding.

Takeaway: Unconditional love as an educational tool.

Comparable Titles: Doug Lemov et al.’s Reconnect, John-Tyler Binfet’s Cultivating Kindness.

Production grades Cover: B Design and typography: A- Illustrations: N/A Editing: B Marketing copy: A-

BookLife Reviews

A Curriculum of Agape is a self-help book, love story, and practical guide for anyone who is interested in becoming a teacher or for those looking to rekindle their relationship with the profession. Dr. Johnson reminds us that teaching and learning is an emotional and professional calling, where a curriculum centered on love will help us achieve more equity and belonging in our classrooms and communities.” Dr. Breanne Hicks English Teacher and Cultivator for Interdisciplinary Studies and Saint Mary’s Hall, San Antonio, TX

“This book should be in the hands of every teacher and educational leader in the field. Dr. Johnson layers the complexity of equity, inclusion, and restorative justice practices, with the development of student identity in a way that is accessible to educators.” Dr. Paula Johnson Chief of Student Advocacy Judson Independent School District, San Antonio, TX

From the Publisher