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  Case: My Cooperating Teacher is Racist
I am a student teacher who cannot wait to have her own classroom in near future. I hope to be the best elementary teacher I can. Recently, I went to have my introductory meeting with my cooperating teacher for the student teaching experience. She is a fifth grade teacher. The meeting took place in the teachers' lounge where other teachers in the school were able to hear everything said. At one point in the discussion my cooperating teacher, who is regarded as one of the district's finest, told me that I will have to be especially careful to recognize that there are "white-blacks" and "black-blacks." The white-blacks are easy to deal with because they come from "good" homes and have "good" values. But the black-blacks are less capable academically and have behavior problems. As I listened I was shocked by what she was saying, but I was even more shocked that none of the teachers in the lounge appeared to find what's being said unusual . I have to complete my student teaching successfully to reach my future dreams, but I do not want to give in to my cooperating teacher's ideas. I do not know what to do.
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
I think she was just trying to give you a head's up about the socio-economic statuses and demographics of the school and the classes you will be dealing with. I think she may have chosen the wrong phrases and words to express herself. I feel like a racist person would have used more derogatory adjectives to describe the students.

However, you might want to cover your tail and keep a log of conversations such as this. If something like this happens again, you'll know that it wasn't an accidental/awkward conversation... and you can do something about it because you'll have proper documentation.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No
The suggested solution is relevant to the case No
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No
The suggested solution is original No
Comments:
Rated On: March 3, 2013 8:29 pm
Rated By: yTuGyd
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No
The suggested solution is relevant to the case No
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No
The suggested solution is original No
Comments: Unfortunately, I do not agree. I believe it was meant in a prejudicial and derogatory way as it was stated. My first reaction would be to contact my advisor to ask advice in this situation as it not only appears to be the one teachers attitude but other teachers agree with her negative view of the students.
Rated On: October 17, 2014 12:08 am
Rated By: Denise Lukacik
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: .
Rated On: November 3, 2015 8:42 pm
Rated By: yDyjuB
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No
The suggested solution is relevant to the case No
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No
The suggested solution is original No
Comments: Not a good solution
Rated On: March 7, 2017 12:13 am
Rated By: Vuqaqa
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this is a fair and good argument to the problem posted. I like the solution and take on this, as I to thought this.
Rated On: April 17, 2022 11:54 pm
Rated By: Lauren Toner