the dreamkeepers successful teaching for african american students

The teachers she observed often didn't have much in common in terms of pedagogical theory. I think this grew out of her methodology. One thing I really like about the book is that Ladson-Billings doesn't pretend like there's only one way to be an effective teacher of african-american students.

As far as I'm concerned, Ladson-Billings's conclusion amounts to 'Be a good teacher, and you will be effective with african-american students.' On the other hand, sometimes pointing out the obvious IS groundbreaking scholarship. Personally, I have mixed feelings about these results, because, to me, they are glaringly obvious. 7) If the district's guidelines don't meet your students' needs, quietly ignore them.

6) You'll almost certainly need to do some of your own curriculum creation, as most textbooks won't meet the criteria stated above. 5) Teach your students to think critically about current events and even question the perspective of the textbooks used in your school. 4) Make sure your literature and history lessons include and respect the african-american experience. 3) Have high expectations for your students. 2) Remember that your students are talented, valuable people who bring a unique and valuable perspective into the classroom. In brief, they come down to this: 1) Treat your students with respect. She uses anecdotes from those observations, interwoven with her own memories, to distill several hallmarks of culturally relevant teaching. She asked parents and administrators to list teachers they considered highly effective, then chose the names that appeared on both lists. Levin, David Jacks professor of Higher Education, Stanford University Ladson-Billing's portraits, interwoven with personal reflections, challenge readers to envision intellectually rigorous and culturally relevant classrooms that have the power to improve the lives of not just African American students but all children.Gloria Ladson-Billings spent two years observing highly effective teachers in an underprivileged, predominantly african-american district. In this beautifully written book Ladson-Billings illustrates the inspiring influence of a select group of teachers who keep the dreams alive for African American students.

Jackson, president and founder, National Rainbow Coalition.

Through the stories and experiences of eight successful teacher-transmitters, The Dreamkeepers keeps hope alive for educating young African Americans. Making Dreams into Reality.Įducation, like electricity, needs a conduit, a teacher, through which to transmit its power- i.e., the discovery and continuity of information, knowledge, wisdom, experience, and culture. Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (p.

The dreamkeepers successful teaching for african american students