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Case: White Intern in a Black inner-city school My sister, Gina, who is a young White girl, started her student teaching in a predominantly Black school in inner-city America. She initially approached her job with optimism and purpose. However, she began to experience her first doubts with the presentation of an emotionally charged poetry reading at an all-school assembly. The poem painted a picture of the oppression of the African Americans by the European American majority. My sister was moved by the poem and accepted the historical truth of its message. At the same, she said she wondered what educational effects of the poem were and whether it would affect her legitimacy as a White teacher in a Black school. She talked to me about her experience. I am an experienced teacher, but I could not answer whether poems like that have any educational value, and whether or not my sister should worry about her legitimacy as a White teacher. I don't what she should do in this specific situation. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) Your sister should not worry about the legitimacy of her position as a teacher in this particular setting or any setting in which she is deemed the minority. The poetry reading seems to be an opportunity for students to express themselves or discuss issues that relate to their culture/personal experience. At times, opportunities exist to encourage student participation or students to display skills and talents that are not allowed in other places. Your sister should continue her training as a teacher and continue to understand the many events that are displayed in schools (such as the poetry readings) are activities that encourage students to express themselves and celebrate their culture in a positive manner. |
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