Initially, I was very excited to read Sleeter’s article “Preparing Teachers for Culturally Diverse Schools.” I am part of a Chicago based scholarship, Golden Apple, that is founded in the belief that “all children deserve excellent teachers.” ALL children. The scholarship program gives four years of teacher preparation and training in schools of high economic need and low academic progress. I have a deep passion to teach in schools with these needs, especially in an urban setting. I have even signed a contract with Golden Apple agreeing to teach in Chicago Public Schools for five years following graduation.
Upon reading the article, however, I was very disappointed that a great deal of time was spent discussing how white teachers are ill-equipped to teach in an urban setting. I know many white preservice teachers who would be very dynamic in an urban school setting and many minorities that would be detrimental to students in an urban setting. For instance, I was a teacher assistant at Michele Clark High School in Chicago (95% African American) and I worked with a teacher of color who was incredibly negative and unsupportive to her students. She was not interested in social justice or creating a multicultural experience, she just wanted her paycheck. On the other hand, I have also worked with a white teacher at Grey Elementary School in Chicago (85% Latina/o) who did all she could to promote multicultural awareness and a very positive, accepting, progressive classroom atmosphere.
Regardless of the research, I think teacher candidates should be chosen for their abilities, not because they fit into a minority group. Of course, if there is a great teacher who happens to be a minority, give him/her the job! But don’t give it to them because they happen to fit the bill. I think a mentality like this perpetuates discrimination and a poor education system.
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