White Teachers / Diverse Classrooms: Teachers and Students of Color Talk Candidly about Connecting with Black Students and Transforming Educational Outcomes - Softcover

"The preparation of a highly qualified teacher workforce has become a national priority. In an unusual turn, the discussion of 'quality' has centered solely on forms of knowledge and the ability to show the acquisition and demonstration of content and competencies. The place and importance of dispositions and clinical skill in teacher practice are largely absent from the national discourse. White Teachers/Diverse Classrooms is an intellectually rich conversation starter. This book explores the myriad considerations needed to create schools that serve all learners. Chief among the requirements is highly qualified teachers - those who are committed to advancing the intellectual development of all learners because each one has the potential to do great things." - Sharon P. Robinson, President and CEO, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education "When people read the title of this book, their initial reaction might be that this is another 'blame game.' However, this book is about one of the most persistent and well documented fault lines in our schools: the educational achievement gap between minority and non-minority students and the critical role of all teachers, particularly white teachers, in eliminating it. White Teachers / Diverse Classrooms is both a practical road map and an appeal to all teachers to re-dedicate themselves to ensuring that all students are prepared and can meet high educational standards - not simply for their sake, but for the future of America and all of her citizens." - Mary H. Futrell, Dean of the Graduate School of Education & Human Development, The George Washington University and former president of the National Education Association"

For African Americans, school is often not a place to learn but a place of low expectations and failure. In urban schools with concentrations of poverty, often fewer than half the ninth graders leave with a high school diploma. Black and White teachers here provide an insightful approach to inclusive and equitable teaching and illustrate its transformative power to bring about success. This book encourages reflection and self-examination, calls for understanding how students can achieve and expecting the most from them. It demonstrates what's involved in terms of recognizing often-unconscious biases, confronting institutional racism where it occurs, surmounting stereotyping, adopting culturally relevant teaching, connecting with parents and the community, and integrating diversity in all activities. This book is replete with examples of practice and telling insights that will engage teachers in practice or in service. It should have a place in every classroom in colleges of education. Its empowering message applies not just to teachers of Black students, but illuminates teaching in every racially diverse setting.