Resume Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6: On Race-matched Teaching

The basic belief underlying race-based role modeling is that ‘Minority teachers can relate better to minority children.’ (20/AFm) If we follow this contention, there is an even greater urgency to increase the number of teachers of color. Such an assumption, however, leaves us with numerous questions: Do children learn better from people most like themselves? If so, should Latino teachers be expected to teach only Latino children? Are African American teachers less able to teach European American kids? Do we select and train teachers differently depending on the clientele? Do students of one skin color learn differently from students with another color within the meanings of color provided by a culture? Or are there other issues involved that at times can override coloration? According to the teachers of color interviewed, socioeconomic status and exposure to inner-city kids deeply inform teacher attitudes as to whom they want to teach and how they teach. The educational and professional background of family, type of schooling received, immigrant status, time in country, regionalism, and even age further complicate the shaping of these teacher attitudes.