Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         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!) I don't think that she should worry about her legitimacy as a white teacher in a black school. I think it is wonderful that she was moved by the poem and that she accepted the historical significance. She has the opportunity to share her thoughts after hearing the poem, and to tell her students how much it moved her. This could help them understand that even though she's white and doesn't agree with what happened in history, everyone has to accept that it happened and work to make sure people of all cultures are treated equally in the future.                 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 enjoyed reading your solution. The leadership role that the school has granted her is legitimate enough. She has the opportunity to prove to her students that her placing in that school is purposeful and that she cares about her students. I like that you suggested using the poem to facilitate meaningful class discussions and as an teaching opportunity. I think this is the best solution and will allow the teacher to get to know her students. Rated On: February 29, 2016 6:00 pm Rated By: Melissa Dison