Book excerpt: Written in a narrative style, with complex concepts and theories explained in everyday language, and full of practical, current examples, this concise text asks educators to examine their identities. It demonstrates how the social construction of identities has shaped individuals’ perceptions, judgments, and understanding of the world. Noel integrates the right mix of personal experiences of multicultural educators, literature from that field, and information from the psychological, philosophical, and sociological foundations of education to help educators plan for diversity in their teaching. Alongside up-to-date statistics and examples are timely discussions of immigration, community involvement, the achievement gap, sex and gender, hate crimes, and bullying—issues that touch multicultural educators on a daily basis. Advantageous pedagogical tools—group and individual activities, guided discussion questions, case studies, and end-of-chapter reflective writings—help readers gain a clear vision of how to be an effective teacher in today’s diverse communities.