The missing voice of culturally relevant teachers in school restructuring |
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| Authors: | Dr Pauline Lipman |
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| Institution: | (1) School of Education, DePaul University, 2320 N. Kenmore, 60614 Chicago, IL |
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| Abstract: | This article addresses the role of exemplary teachers of students of color in educational reform. Using an ethnographic study
of two urban junior high schools in the beginning stages of restructuring, I describe threeculturally relevant teachers who create empowering educational experiences for low-achieving African American students. Despite their exemplary
practice and their enthusiasm for educational change, thewisdom of practice of these teachers was largely discounted in the restructuring process. They were marginalized by ideological and political
contexts which suppressed racial issues and advocacy for African American students and which supported a deficit model of
low-achieving African American students. Restructuring fostered little examination of policies, practices, and beliefs which
tended to marginalize African American students. This research suggests that professional dialogue and collaboration are mediated
by teachers' ideologies and by relations of power in schools and communities. If exemplary teachers of children of color are
to influence educational change, reformers need to legitimize their knowledge and sponsor their leadership. Also, reforms
that benefit marginalized children of color may require the mobilization and participation of parents and communities of color
as well as their teacher-advocates.
Even though I'm not doing the Mentoring and Counseling Program any more, I can't reject them. They know I care about them.
They know when you're not pretending. You don't turn off realness. Paulette
I find them where they are. I say, “You've told stories. When you say, ‘The way I see it,’ that's point of view.” I just do
it like that. When kids believe you think they can learn, they will. Samuel
We have to challenge these students. When we don't give them an opportunity, we're taking something away from them. Helen |
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