A recent article and interview was published regarding teaching in an urban setting. The individual being interviewed, Christopher Edmin has recently written a book titled “For the White Folks Who Teach in the Hood… and the Rest of Y’all Too”. He discussed the importance in teachers who come from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds of their students to recognize those differences and use it as a way to make a more positive learning experience for all. Edmin also highlights the importance of “color blindness” being a flaw with educators, because recognizing color and culture are two very important things students, considering that is what makes a person who they are. It was also highlighted that teachers need to change their thinking when engaging with students, especially considering trauma that is occurring in their life. He also mentions the importance in teachers and school leaders doing practical things in order to know where their students are coming from, such as going to churches, barber shops, etc. Edmin believes that students should feel valued, their cultures are represented and they are receiving a valuable education.
Want To Teach In Urban Schools? Get To Know The Neighborhood. (2016, April 10). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/04/10/473500018/want-to-teach-in-urban-schools-get-to-know-the-neighborhood
To listen to this interview and read the published article, follow this link:http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/04/10/473500018/want-to-teach-in-urban-schools-get-to-know-the-neighborhood
Emily Folland
EDPS 393
Dual Major
