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 think that the poem does have educational value. It discusses history, showcases creativity, and is an assessment of a type of prose in ELA. As for your sister, I understand her concern. I attended a predominantly Black elementary, middle, and high school. I now teach at a predominantly Black school. I have witnessed the fear and carefulness of White teachers. Some are scared and some are just unsure of how to approach the students. I have seen many that feel the need to be the extremely "nice" teacher, and allow the students to walk all over them. My advice to your sister would be to just be yourself. I do not think that poem alone will have any educational effects. Students come with preconceived thoughts on various issues, so in my opinion, the poem will not change what they probably already thought and felt. However, I do think if she shows her love for the students and job, she will be fine. Inner-city students are really good at picking out the teachers that actually want to be there. The fact that she was moved shows that she empathizes with them, and could be a great basis for sparking up a discussion with the students. One piece of advice I give all my White co-workers who are unsure about how the students will perceive them is to not be timid. Be yourself, and do what you love.