I agree with all that you stated. Many students who are very well versed will realize that this is not a racial poem but historical in nature. It should open up dialogue for these students. Your sister can then express herself more and the students who do not understand can then come on board for understanding.

I agree with your post. The only reason for being an illegitimate teacher is because you are an illegitimate teacher. She can earn the trust and respect of her students despite her races if she knows how to speak to and approach them.

Gaining the respect of the students should be a priority for any teacher. Being white and having taught students of all colors, demanding and giving respect is the key to a successful relationship with all students regardless of color. Also, showing interest in things which are of importance to them will also help gain this respect. However, gaining that respect often does take time, so patience is also a virtue of importance.

I found this study to be entertaining.

I believe that Gina can earn the trust from these students by doing her best to talk to them. Once she tries to talk to the students and show that she can be trusted, I think that the students will change they way they will feel about her. Also, I do not think that all of the students will give her the cold shoulder. She could talk to these students and see where they are coming from too, if she wishes.

I think that acknowledging oppression will only help the students respect your sister. Most of the time, people of different cultures or races think that people of other cultures or races do not know what they are going through. By acknowledging what happened, Gina can show her students that she may not understand what they are going through, but she does know what they are going through and can do whatever she can to help them. This also, in my opinion, will help Gina earn the respect of her students.

I agree! Every teacher walks into their classroom and has to prove themself. Regardless of race or gender, we must prove to our students that we are there to help them. Great solution!

I think this would be the perfect opportunity to show how far European culture has come since slavery and the Jim Crow laws. I would have a discussion with the students about the difference in now and then. I agree that demonstrating respect for these students will show them they can trust her and that she cares about their success.

I agree with this solution. Students will learn to separate race from individual people. The more we talk about these issues the better everyone understands each other ( and gain more respect as a result).

The poems are a way for the students to reach out to each other and educate in their own ways. I'm sure they would be happy and even a little amazed if a white person were willing to listen.

I think Gina should also talk with her cooperating teacher to figure out what she does since Gina is here learning different strategies from a more qualified teacher. This teacher has the background of working in this type of school and Gina should not feel different working with any children. As a teacher we need to be aware and concerned with how our students are feeling while we are building relationships with them.

Really love this solution.

I really agree because teachers have to learn to overcome all of our fears. This includes being a minority in a school system. It is about the students and not the teacher. I think that it is a good idea to collaborate with other teachers in the school. It never hurts to get advice or someone else's opinion.

I also think that Gina should talk with the teacher that she is teaching with. She can also let the teacher know how she is feeling and her concerns. The teacher then can let her know the background on the students at that school.

I like your solution of Gina speaking with her head teacher about her feelings and finding out more information about the poetry readings. I also agree that she shouldn't be concerned about the poem as long as she has the interest of her students at heart. A teacher wants all their students to succeed and become better at things they feel hinder them.

I also agree that she should talk to her cooperating teacher. Having that teachers advice could help her. The cooperating teacher knows these students and how they react to things. She can gain advice from her to see how to proceed.

I really like your point. We should always discuss these things with our students and let them digest it according to their own perspectives. I feel that discussing controversial things like this can have an antiseptic effect to its offensiveness. It can give the clear reasoning and purpose to a poem like this.

It is important that the teacher discuss with the students how they poem made them feel and how it made her feel. Opening open to the students and giving them space and time to discuss the poem and its affects will add to her validity as a white teacher in a predominately black school. I agree that it is important that the students determine the educational value of the poem for themselves.

I think the older our students get we forget that they have personalities, beliefs, and opinions of their own. They are creating their own perspectives on life and what they like. I think it is a good idea to talk with our students about what they would like to do or learn about and their perspectives on it.

I agree that having a thoughtful and honest discussion with the students about why they felt like they did could open up a good dialogue and be a great learning experience for the students.

I like that you pointed out that each student can walk away with a different emotion after hearing the poem. Different things affect people in different ways and what one person views as unnecessary to education another may view as essential.

I agree that everyone can interpret it differently and it is very important for each student to have their own opinion. Allowing them to express their opinions with their own poems could be a great way to gain their trust and show them that you care about how they feel.

This approach was a little different than the others I have read. You took the situation and made a lesson out of it. I don't think a lot of us thought about it in this aspect to establish legitimacy. I guess we cannot ignore the fact that she is feeling this way as a result of the poem.

I really like your idea of having the poem as a starting point for a lesson. I did not even think of that. I feel by doing this Gina will be able to understand the students better and it might ease her mind some.

This can open up for discussion of feelings...I like it.

That is a great example you provided of how having teachers of a different race did not alter your honor and respect for them. Respecting our students cultural differences and teaching the class to embrace each others diverse perspectives will create a healthy and supportive classroom environment. How Gina treats her students will determine her legitimacy as a teacher. She can continue to be a great teacher and continue on uninterrupted .v If Gina feels it is necessary, she can try to change her students perspectives on how cruel the past was by providing examples of peace and collaboration among African Americans and Whites during the volatile time period.

I agree that poems have educational value. I like your description of what is a legitimate teacher. Being a fair teacher who is effective and provides a safe environment will definitely help her standing among her students, regardless of their race.

I agree with Nicki that this poetry reading could be a useful teaching tool in the classroom. I also like your comment about how the classroom should be a safe environment for all racial groups and this should be stressed to the students.

I love what you are saying about embracing all cultures so that students understand that although African Americans may have been oppressed in the past, the classroom is going to be a safe place for them to be. You can tell these things to students but they really need to see it and live it to truly understand it. Great job!

Yes, using the poem to facilitate an open discussion would be an excellent way to encourage the students to see her as someone who is open to listening to their ideas and who is interested in and attuned to their problems. Ignoring the poem would only contribute to the already prevalent problem of people seeing race issues as problems of the past rather than current issues that demand attention.

I agree, it seems impossible to ignore the poem without somehow legitimizing its negative connotations. Instead acknowledging the poem openly, which his sister openly did anyway, shows acceptance and willingness to move forward, which will gain student respect. I may also remove her seemingly low self-esteem regarding her own legitimacy as a new teacher.

Good suggestion to make the comparison to women's rights! I'd also add that being willing to ask questions to better understand students from a different culture helps build that trust because they learn that you actually care about them as a person.

Good point! By building rapport with her students she will gain trust which will be valuable in the classroom. In addition by showing students she too faces issues (like women's rights) will give her a standing ground to know how to relate to her students.

You make a valid point. Just because Gina is a White teacher in a predominantly Black school does not mean that she has not been in a position of marginalization. There may be instances wherein she may have felt as if no one cared about her also. In addition to her sharing about her experiences as a woman, she could also share about some life experiences that may be similar to the students she teaches. Then perhaps, she will be able to see some commonalities between her students' lives and her own, thus alleviating her doubts about her legitimacy as a teacher at the school.

Yes! Showing the open-mindedness to talk about it is probably the first step. As teachers we must build relationships with our students and if that is how they are feeling and understand the world then we must understand where they are coming from in order to teach them. The easiest way to do that is by asking them questions and talking to them.

While I agree with your comment, I would say that we, as individuals, should not go out of our way to prove that we are different from other people who share our ethnicity. This is especially true for Gina. She should concentrate on being herself. Inner-city students can spot fakeness from a mile away. Gina should be herself and focus on being the best teacher she can be. Students respect genuineness more so than fake attempts at patronizing.

This post is spot on. I think that if the teacher is willing to be open with her students about the issues at hand then she will be seen as a leader and not be questioned.

I agree she just needs to earn their trust and show them that she's different than the people in the poems.

I agree that skin color has nothing to do with legitimacy. A good teacher chooses the field of education because he/she wants to teach children and make a difference in the world. Too, I believe that the poem read in the assembly should be discussed in the classroom in the teacher feels lead to do so. It could be a jumping off point to help students open up about their own lives, thoughts, and feelings.

I also think that the poems are educational practices and allows the students to express themselves. It is important that she remains confident in knowing that she can do the task at hand which is teaching her students. By allowing them to express themselves, the students will be more willing to respect her which will alleviate the issue of her not being "worthy" of teaching them.

I like your idea of having the student reflect. I think Gina should also let her students know how the poem made her feel. Her doubts could actually be a discussion.

I agree with you, its all about building that trust with your students. Gina may be an individual that will inspire a child and be a role model to the students. She should never feel discourage or out of place. Even though it may seem challenging, she should countinue to be optimistic and remeber her purpose.

I love your comment, "There are always teachable moments!" I completely agree with you. It is important for Gina to use this time to relate to her students and teach her students about cultural backgrounds. Gina could start by expressing her respect for her students.

I agree that she was probably moved because she is aware that she is part of a majority race, and will be working with a minority group. You are right, this has nothing to do with her legitimacy in the classroom.

I like the idea of turning the poetry into a teaching tool about the oppression of other groups, like Native Americans. It is important for the students to see how all groups have had some kind of oppression in the past.

I agree. Using this poem as a jumping off point to talk about emotional poems from all races is a great idea. The students can see the perspective of people who are the same and different race. I think the big picture here is to see the human side of the poem and the struggle of life.

In addition to adding poetry focusing on other cultural groups, poems can also be discussed that focus on other topics. These topics could include a focus on gender or socioeconomic status. It is important to show the students that other states of oppression exist other than just those focusing on race.

I like your approach of teaching the students about other cultures that have been suppressed as well. This is a great teaching tool to build off of.

I think that by introducing a real peice of thier history could have possibly opened thier eyes to thier own backgound. Many students, black or white, do not know each peice of thier history. By using literature to discuss this topic opens up a free and safe zone to do so.

I agree. Various events in history have to be taught and I would use this as an opportunity to further connect with my students. I would ask them about their cultures and backgrounds and explain how we are all different, but that makes us unique.

I like your idea of establishing a community for her classroom. By aspiring to do this, she will show her support for the students and establish mutual respect by all involved.

I agree with your comment. This woman should not feel inadequate because she is a minority. I think she should also encourage her students to express themselves through activities that are similar to the poetry reading, and she should also encourage a multicultural perspective when teaching her students. This will help them understand how other cultures view the events that they are expressing their opinions on through activities like these poetry readings.

I agree. This is a poem being read at an assembly. She should not let a poem about the history of the country take her off of her path. She should strive to do the very best job she can; just like all of the educators in the school. If she is there for the right reasons, she should be fine.

I agree with your comment. This was just an opportunity for the students to express her feeling and she should not allow this to deter her from teaching. She could even encourage a discussion about the poem in her own classroom, allowing the student to express how it made them feel.

I agree, she defiantly has the right to be concerned how her student perceives her and I think this is also a great opportunity to work on that perception. I defiantly agree that by ignoring this issue and avoiding the discussion with students she could be perceived as part of the problem, I think this is the perfect opportunity if possible for her to let her students express their feelings and have her share hers as well so that they can hopefully create a trust between one another.

Very true! Not approaching the subject will not make anything better. She should be proactive in the situation and use it as a learning lesson. Yes, this terrible thing happened in the past, but what can we do now?

I totally agree with this solution! She should not shy away from the fact that she is a white teacher in a predominately black school and act as if she shouldn't be there because she is "different" from her students. The students will totally pick up on this and walk all over her if she lets them think she doesn't belong there.

I agree that she must not let the poem define her as a teacher. Yes, this may make it more difficult for her to prove herself, but it should not hinder her goals and dreams at this specific school. She will learn and grow from this awkward experience she is enduring, and eventually she may gain more respect as a White female teacher.

I agree that the way Gina reacts to the poem would affect her legitimacy. Hearing hard truths and addressing them openly and honestly is the best way to move forward. She needs to be prepared for some students to not trust her, but that most will respond to her efforts to be a good, caring teacher.

I completely agree that it is the reaction to the poetry that would impact Gina's legitimacy in the classroom as opposed the the poetry itself. If her students see that she is uncomfortable or agitated by the poem, then they are going to have issues with her and their views of her as a teacher would likely change. If, on the other hand, she shows positive reactions and support for her students I cannot see that any legitimacy or respect could be questioned or lost.

I definitely agree with this solution. You can't just tell students that you are legitimate. They are much more skeptical than adults. She needs to show them she is legit. She shouldn't feel inadequate either because if she loves what she does and cares about what she does, then she should believe she can do a great job with any person.

I love how you stated that a teacher's reaction can affect her legitimacy as a teacher. I completely agree with this statement. Students will respect you as a teacher (if they respect teachers in general) because of who you are not what race you are. If you give reason for students to question you as a teacher then they begin to question your legitimacy! Good post!

I agree that the purpose of reading the poem really goes a long way in determining its educational value. As long as it is kept within the context of a learning experience (whether historical or literary) then there should be no problem. I also agree that Gina's legitimacy will be determined by her professionalism. Regardless of color, or cultural background for that matter, her effectiveness in the classroom will determine will be the determining factor. The worst thing that Gina could do is focus on the differences between herself and her students. Instead, see everyone as people, approach them and treat them that way, and all should (hopefully) be fine.

I completely agree with you and your response is very well stated. I do also think that being exposed to pieces of literature from different time periods and about different time periods in our history do have significant educational value.

I agree that poems can have significant educational value. Students should be exposed to pieces of literature from different time periods and asked to analyze the meaning of the literature. I believe that GIna could have her students complete a journal entry on the poem, so they can express their thoughts, feelings, or concerns that they may have. Students can discuss the meaning of the poem, what it meant to people during that time period, what it means to them today, and how did it make them feel. I agree that it is then up to Gina to show her students who she is and that she is there to educate everyone equally. You can also bring in more pieces of literature such as songs and novels from this time period to analyze and to show students that this is an important era and in our history.

I agree that poems like this give special insight into difficult periods in our nation's history. Unfortunate things happen throughout history and though we may regret them now, they cannot be swept under the rug and ignored. That type of behavior only fosters resentment. I also agree that she has the opportunity to demonstrate through her own behavior how far we have come to overcome racial issues.

Trust is indeed an issue for us teachers. Whether you are black or white, Mexican or Latino, Native Indian or whatever else, I have learned that you will never be legitimized or respected as an influencer of students until you have earned their trust. To achieve this goal, we must first be true to our own cultural values; then we should be open and willing to explore and accept the cultural values of all our students. We certainly may not be able to relate to the formation of our students' cultural heritage, but we can show them that we respect and honor it in our classrooms.

You are so right about how race is an issue that we all face today even though many people before us fought for equality. I really liked the comment you made that all people should be "color blind" so that we don't know the color. Race is something that should not matter but does and somehow as teachers we need to try and kids to look beyond that to see the meaning of great poetry.

I agree with Tracy and Lori. Trust is something we earn from kids. During the course of a year there is a lot of give and take. Sometimes a kid has a bad day. Sometimes you do. Students are often remarkably intuitive in that they generally seem to know if you have their best interest at heart. I will also add I was fortunate to have an young black graduate student work with me in my science class this year as part of a national science foundation grant. She was pursuing a MS in molecular biology and came in to help me teach labs once a week. In science in particular minorities are underrepresented which sends a silent message to students that science may not be for them (a shame!). Some of my students did verbally express both pleasure and surprise at having a young African American woman serving as a scientist in their classroom. Working with a fellow scientist of a different race did help to engage some of my kids but it never made me feel less legitimate as the teacher in the classroom.

In all honesty, graduating from a teacher education program doesn't mean you are truly equipped to teach in a classroom; this will come with experience. Also, if we are going to teach students who differ from our cultural identity, there is much we must take into account if we are going to effectively reach and teach our students. To begin with, we must teach with integrity - we must teach the truth to our students. Therefore, saying that everyone is equal is incorrect, and don't be fooled, many of our students know what goes on in the world outside of school. With that said, I propose, with high expectations and standards in mind, we incorporate the teaching of cultural diversity with the goal of developing awareness and respect for cultural differences. We also teach them the realities of the inequalities that exist in our society with the hope of them each taking a personal stand to rise above such disparities.

You make a great point about the past being something she has no control over. Maybe she could use that as a way to begin a discussion within the classroom to discuss the validity of blaming some here in the present for something that happened in the past.

Good point! I feel that she may want to get to know the students and staff members on a more personal level before making any huge judgment calls. Gina should promote and support culture diversity among her students. Gina will learn to gain better teaching strategies to cope with situations like this the more she teaches and gains experience.

So true. Great solutions

I really like the idea of sharing her feelings and emotions with the class. This would show the students that she has a caring heart and that although she is white, she identifies with their oppression and does not agree with the events causing it. This could open up a discussion that enables her to develop a relationship with her class.

When I was working in a predominantly black school there were times where the students and I would talk about our differences. One day they all thought I was crazy for washing my hair every single day. It worked well to build a student staff relationship because we genuinely were interested in different aspects of our lives. I did feel quite respected by the students (which I feel as my first year working with severe EBD children was quite an accomplishment.)

I like this idea of being open about the differences everyone has in the classroom. I think this provides a "community" feel and allows the students to trust the teacher with information about their lives. Once the students realize that the teacher wants to learn more about them, they may feel more inclined to learn more about her.

I think it is so interesting that you mention hair, because that is something that my African American girls always want to talk to me about. We have had countless conversations on the playground about how I wash and style my hair everyday, and that we call getting a "perm" something we do when we want our hair curly, but they call getting a "perm" what they want done when they want their hair straight. I have even let them braid my hair before as a reward for them meeting a certain goal that they had set. All in all, it's just hair, but these open conversations show that I am interested in my students' lives and I care about who they are and where they come from. Building that rapport has taken me further as a teacher than any classroom management or teaching strategy ever will. My students know that I appreciate our differences, and I am open to hearing their ideas or beliefs.

I can only agree with your solution. This is a great solution. She should not get wrapped up in worrying about her legitimacy, but focus on providing the students with lessons and activities that relate to the students' fund of knowledge. Yes multicultural educations should be a essential requirement when implementing curriculum for schools.

I agree that poetry, as with any other form of writing, can be a great way of teaching and allowing one to express their self. A question i would honestly ask is what if the roles were reversed and it were a predominantly white school and a black student teacher were present? Would he/she feel out of place? My answer would be the same in that they should feel nothing from this poem other than understanding of the historical context.

Being novice to the field of education is challenging to anybody. It has nothing to do with race or gender, if the students can seek out the teacher's weakest they will take advantage. Gina has to play cool even though she is a little rattled. That's are comes in play of being a novice teacher.

You are correct- racial events still happen everywhere, whether it is in a predominately white or black school. People have their own opinions and beliefs, usually based somewhat on what their parents instill in them. As a teacher, you have to deal with these issues daily, but it makes you a stronger, more efficient teacher in the long run.

I agree that trying to show them she understands would be helpful. It may also help the students to realize their is another perspective-- I am sure she feels "bad" for some of the things her ancestors may have done. However, by having a good relationship with her students and showing them it is ok to have differing opinions, the learning may increase. She should not try to censor the poems. She should feel confident they were willing to share that information with her.

I agree and feel that Gina could use this as an opportunity to begin to build relationships with her students. I also believe that she needs to teach them that poetry is art. Everyone will interpret the poem somewhat differently. So, with that being said, I believe that this opens the door for a great discussion. I believe that this discussion will allow the students to express themselves and really feel that their voice is being heard. Gina could then share with them how the poem made her feel. No doubt it will probably make her feel the same way. She could discuss the term 'oppression' and what it means. They could then discuss the historical relevance and the educational merit of the poem itself. They could take the poem and look for examples of rhyme, alliteration, onomatopoeia, simile, metaphor, and/or personification. She could have them even try to write a poem about a time in their lives when they felt that they were oppressed or treated unfairly. Great opportunity to extend on the assembly's poem.

I really like how you said she should talk about the students ancestors and her own. I am sure this is frequently over looked and not seen as important, but it helps the students get a better perspective of the situation. Very good idea!

Great response and I agree. A positive attitude will go a long way with her students and create a comfortable atmosphere for all.

I agree that Gina should not lose the passion she has for educating others. She should use this passion to overcome the diversity. Gina could definitely be a positive role model in these students' lives and help them succeed in ways others may not. Although it will be challenging until she understand how to fully reach the children best, the rewards will be worth it.

I agree with you that the main thing for Gina to do is to share her feelings. I believe she should talk with her mentor teacher about it first. She could also talk with the students about how the assembly and poetry reading made them feel and then also share her feelings. If she doesn't share her feelings/apprehension with someone it could possibly lead to worsening the situation because the students will be able to notice something is wrong.

I agree that discussing the subject of race is difficult. In reality, it wasn't that many years go that segregation ended. I, for one, am not proud of the way our forefathers dealt with particular situations. But what I can do is to learn from their mistakes and try to do better, for all mankind. After all, those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it.

I agree with your comment. I don't believe she should worry about her legitimacy as a teacher. If anything, her empathy for others is shining through which is a good quality for a teacher to have.

I agree. I do not believe that someone's legitimacy is within his or her skin color. If Gina has an open mind toward all students and all cultures, and all races, her legitimacy should not be questioned.

I agree that Gina's legitimacy as a white teacher should not be questioned. She has to understand how the children are feeling before she can ask them to trust her into the school. I think that by taking interest in the children, she can gain trust in their lives. The poems do give value because it is how they express themselves.

Laura, It sounds like you have some good insight as to how she was feeling being in a similar situation yourself. I agree that Gina needs to focus on her skills as a teacher and how she can make the biggest difference in the lives of her students. She can still be a great teacher to her students even if she has a different background from them.

I completely agree with you. This situation should not make her feel that she is not making a difference in her students' lives. I think it is important for Gina to use this time to relate to her students and show her respect for their cultural backgrounds.

Laura, I completely agree with your post. I like how you said that it is not about the color of our skin, but the impact that we have on the world today. I think you are absolutely correct and that I feel that is how Gina should take on this situation.

I am sure the way Gina feels (and the way you felt Laura) is the same as any teacher who finds themselves in a similar situation. Being the "other" in any situation can be unnerving and difficult. However, in the world we live in, hopefully both Gina and the students can move beyond the superficial differences and find the similarities in their humanity and find common ground there. It should be on the teacher (Gina in this case) to lead this charge and create a positive learning environment for students and a positive work environment for herself.

I agree with your suggestion that she should speak to other teachers about the way she feels. Race is a topic of discussion that often leaves people feeling uncomfortable. Speaking with fellow teachers will help Gina learn how to communicate her views and feelings. By developing her communication skills Gina will be more comfortable in confronting uncomfortable situations that may otherwise be damaging to her long term career goals.

I agree about talking to co workers who have been at the school longer than Gina. They may have a unique insight about the poem and addressing cultures.

I agree that it would be helpful if Gina were to address the poem in the classroom. The students would appreciate the fact that Gina is understanding and open-minded to all cultural perspectives. I think as long as Gina finds a way to relate to her students in her lessons, they will respect her and she will not have to worry about her legitimacy in the classroom.

I do agree with you. In some cases race will always be a factor. You have to take the high road and remember the reason you became an educator.

I could not agree more! Respect is important in ALL classrooms. When the teacher shows the she/he is fair to all students the students will respect her as the teacher. It is essential to incorporate all cultures into lessons, but by making it relevant to the student's backgrounds it can make student engagement much easier!

Great points. I have had moments where students have not trusted me fully because of my race. But I have shown that I respect them and care about their education. As a result I have earned their respect as well. I think it is important to understand that people of my race have systematically oppressed those of other races. For some, it is hard to see people as individuals and not as a threat as a result of these negative experiences they have experienced. As teachers, we have to be patient, kind, and respectful until trust is gained. We do not automatically have respect simply because we are teachers in this culture.

I agree that whatever opinion the students may have of this teacher based on her appearance will be quickly replaced by the impression she makes as a culturally sensitive teacher. If she is willing to address difficult issues and develop relationships with her students, she will earn the students' respect. Children are alarmingly good judges of character and will see her genuineness.

I appreciate your comment about discussing white privilege with her students. Students would really value that their teacher is being real and candid with them about things people don't like talking about.

Great time to incorporate white privilege and the dominating culture!

This a great way to see things. Incorporate all oppressed races and compare how things could be different for all. Great post!

I agree. These poems do have educational value. This was illustrated by the fact that by hearing the poem, it caused Gina to question her legitimacy as a teacher. They do present an opportunity for learning if they are not dismissed as being irrelevant. By hearing the poem and questioning her legitimacy as a teacher, Gina was presented with an opportunity to learn about herself by exploring her thoughts in relation to the poem.

I love the idea of making the poetry reading into a teaching moment. I think this would be a very good opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and their heritage. It would also be helpful to teach students about the views and cultures of the society that they see as oppressive in order to give them a greater perspective rather than limiting them to viewing white society as a purely dominant force.

I like that you pointed out talking to a teacher adviser. Talking to someone who has been around and know the kids better is a great starting point just to make sure you don't step on any toes or go about the lesson in the wrong way. I like that you mentioned making it a teachable moment. By opening up and telling students how moved she was and build on that to teach them more about their culture and build writing skills is an excellent idea.

I agree 100%. I think that students are very understanding and they are very capible of showing respect to different races and cultures. I would hope that the sister would use their differences to her advantange and teach them compassion.

This does present an excellent opportunity for your sister to address the student's feelings and impressions of what they heard in the assembly. This may either confirm her fears or resolve them, but wither way it will give her a teachable moment to address racial tensions and the continued efforts to eliminate them from American schools.

I agree as well. This is a great oppertunity for your sister to encourage open discussion with students. They can learn about her views and culture. They may discover some similarities and common ground.

I agree, she shouldn't be worrying to much about this. It is art, and there is value in art in education. Allowing herself to be too worried may impact her ability to teach, and she should continue to focus on making her classroom comfortable, efficient and effective for all the students.

I agree that Gina shouldn't worry about her legitimacy as teacher. I also like your idea of using other poems to present different points of view. This would make a great mini-unit.

I agree also, she should not think about the negative of the poem, but think to build on the interests of the students. In the African American culture poetry is a well-known form of art.

I agree, she should not worry. Finding additional poetry by culturally diverse poets is a great idea. Perhaps she should also look for modern day poetry and poetry from the past to add variety. It would also encourage students to compare and contrast writing styles and how the world has changed in its views over time.

I completely agree. Earning your students respect is very important. By earning their respect the teacher will earn their trust. The poem is important for the students because it does teach them about the past and even the present. If she explains to the students that everyone in the classroom will be treated with respect and fairness from day one, she should not have a problem.

I completely agree with your statement and in fact posted something very similar to this. Without respect from or towards the students, you cannot have a successful classroom. Start there and then see what happens.

I don't think it should matter either...in fact, I would talk with my students about how it affected her as well as how it affected them.

I also feel that poetry can have educational value, especially in the manner that it is presented and the speaker. I also felt that this was an opportunity for Gina to see what concerns her students may have about her or any perceptions that have about white's from the poem. I thought that a great way for her to see and know what her students were thinking is through their writing. So I would have students complete a journal entry and I would provide students with a list of questions that I would like for them to address in their writing. I would have students tell me what the poem was about, what it meant to the people during that time period, what does it mean to them (the student) today, and how did the poem make you feel. Afterwards Gina may ask if students would like to read their entry aloud or she can have one on one conferences with the students, or read them silently after class. I think that Gina should remain strong in the classroom and present herself as usual in a respectful manner to all students no matter what their race may be.

I completely agree! I like your idea for an additional lesson plan. This would help students extend their knowledge and have an opportunity to express their opinions and themselves. It will also help her establish a classroom space where all students feel safe and like their culture is respected.

I agree. If she decided to take that poem's content and merge it into her lessons, it would be amazing. Not only would she be able to discuss the poem and its history with her class, the students would respect her for taking on that topic in her class and get to discuss a topic that is interesting to most of the learners.

What a great idea. I believe expressing how the poem moved her and allowing the students to create their own poems would be a great way for poetry to become meaningful.

Your idea for an additional assignment is a wonderful idea! I think that this would help all students feel comfortable in the classroom and help reassure them that there culture is respected.

I love your idea of using poetry as a follow-up assignment. Students have to learn how to express themselves in many different ways. Whether it's through art, writing, or another facet of creativity, each child needs that outlet. What a great idea!

I think using this poem as a gateway to open up classroom discussion and further readings is a great idea!

Using poetry, short stories, or any other creative expression is a wonderful way to get some students to start talking and open up discussion is brilliant! Good idea!

If teaching is an art and a poem is art, it seems as if they would complement each other well in the educational setting. Poems such as these do offer educational value and if the teacher is questioning her legitimacy as a teacher by reading this art form, it should be noted that the poem has educational value. She should use the poem as a catalyst to become an even better teacher and not let her doubts stop her from influencing students in a positive manner.

Definitely! Skin color has no effect or depiction of how a teacher is or performs. A teacher of color could have read the same poem and sparked the same reaction. The poem was just that intense. The teacher probably should feel uneasy, becaue I would too if her shoes were on my feel and I was reading a racially charged poem about caucasian individuals.

I really like that you would follow up this poetry reading with a journal entry. This would be a great place for students to express their feelings without causing a huge class debate. I also agree that regardless of the outcome, Gina must (as you said) "stay true to herself and who she is as an educator".

You're right that the WAY it was read can have an effect on how the listener interprets it. I didn't even think about that!

You are exactly right. Her legitimacy as a teacher has nothing to do with the poem but by her actions in the classroom.

I agree with you that the poem should not make Gina question her ability to teach children. The poem was an educational experience to give students knowledge about how one person felt in regards to past events. The student teachers should be concerned with developing appropriate lessons to educate the students that will be in her classroom. She should focus on developing connections with these children and making decisions based on the success of her students after the learning experiences.

I really enjoyed reading your solution. I agree that the teacher should express that she wants her students to succeed, this will gain some respect from her class. Also, I think the teacher should focus on progression rather than regression of the history. It is important to look at how and why people were oppressed, but I think how things have changed should be emphasized. Hopefully this will allow the students to see how America has changed and how their ancestry has grown through many different struggles.

I like your comment about starting an open dialogue, including sharing her own feelings. Depending on the age of her students, this could be a situation that really helps them to bond. She should be sure that she has gained their trust first.

I too believe that an open, honest conversation with the students about the issue will be extremely beneficial, especially of the students are older. In this conversation it should be said that it is not a culture that is all good or all bad, it is the individual people in that culture that represent them.

I agree that there is no way to teach history from that time period without bringing out different emotions from your students. As difficult as it can be, it is so important to teach the history from all perspectives so that history will not repeat itself.

I agree with your response. Whether the message was agreed with or not, the poem provides educational value that should be used within the classroom. By listening to the students and their oppression, she may also learn strategies to better teach them and also learn how to maintain a positive relationship with the students.

Responding to the poem would be a great way to really delve into her students' minds and discover their honest thoughts. From here, she can use this as a teaching moment about all races, but definitely her own. For instance, she could use this opportunity to show certain key Caucasian figures that have rallied together with their fellow black friends to fight for the common goal.

This is one of the best responses to this situation that I've read. Its very true that history will tend to bring out emotion in people. Slavery prior to the Civil War, The Holocaust, 9/11, Colonialism, and the Crusades just to name a few. These subjects in history bring out emotion from different groups of people for very valid reasons. To understand history completely, and its implications to our lives, we must sometimes subject ourselves to things like this poem to really understand the feelings or perspectives of a time period. She should feel very valid in knowing that she is doing a good job by making these students aware of this, and its place in history.

Unfortunately this was one of the darkest hours in America's history. There is no way around it. If you teach it, you are going to arouse emotions. It is important though for the students to have the ability to discuss their feelings about this particular time period. They should be allowed to express how they feel regardless of the topic and feel that their opinion is worthwhile and meaningful. I mean I get emotional when I begin to think about the horrible way people treated one another during this time period. I believe that it is still a part of history and that it must be something that is taught. Therefore, I believe that a certain sensitivity must come along with having discussions about slavery and oppression.

I love your idea of using the poem as a source of motivation! Poetry can send out so many messages, and can be used to change our way of thinking. Great idea :)

I agree in that the racism experienced by many Black folk 100 years ago is different than the racism of today. The racism that exist today is more structural and a lot less overt. I believe the teacher can use the progress in race relations that America has made to spur discussions in her class. Is race relations in America perfect? No, but they are a lot better than they were 60 years ago.

I think you bring up a really excellent point--oppression that existed in our nation's history is not the same oppression that these students of their descendants face today. It really all boils down to breaking that racial barrier that still exists in our world today, no matter how much we want to believe that it doesn't. The truth is, it does and we owe it to our students to show them what the real world is like in terms of racial capability and over-comings.

I agree that the sister has a right to feel awkward, I probably would too. However, you make a great point that oppression that was present years ago is different from what is present today. I like that you mention they can listen with passion, but it doesn't mean that they have to have the same feelings. Great response!

What a cool idea, and I think you are right. Gina should take this as an opportunity to show that she understands and embraces other cultures and is confident enough in herself to allow all children to express their ideas of their cultures and any oppression that that culture faced. It's important to remember that even though whites were responsible for slavery and the oppression of Native and Hawaiian Americans in the 1800's, no teacher or student alive today was directly involved in any of those situations. So, she should not feel insecure or bad about what her ancestors did but she should do her best to understand those cultures so that she can be an effective teacher.

Different solution, but Gina being new to the school I would not advice her to just approach the student. If I was her, I would use poetry as a alternative assessment with the students she will be working with. She should not stress the emotion behind the poem because it is not personal direct towards her.

I agree that poetry writing holds educational value especially in the African American community. For instance there are poetry night at local clubs and centers in African American communities. I know you may feel some type of way about the experience of being in an unfamiliar area, but I am glad you done research. I believe addressing the race issues so early will only open up a jar of worms. Being novice to the school and teaching, I would advice you to address your problems and concerns with experienced staff.

I absolutely love your post! I agree that White Americans cannot control what was done by their ancestors and most of us are actually ashamed of it. The African Americans also have not experienced the oppression of their ancestors. So why should anger exist among us now? I believe being honest with your students about this can open doors and build bonds.

I like that you mentioned if the students start talking about it. I think that's an important point. Just because it bothers her doesn't mean she needs to address the issue, but she does need to if it's something the students are really struggling with as well.

I liked your suggestion of using the poem to begin an in-depth exploration of American history at the time the piece was written. I also like that you included questions that would help students make connections between American culture then and now.

Yes, students can seek out the weakest skill of a teacher and take advantage of the situation. Gina needs to first focus on implementing classroom management, because without management over the class she will not be able to teach. Building a rapport with the students is essential.

I agree with your comment. It is important for the student teacher to stay strong and confident about teaching the poem because then the students will sense she is uncomfortable and start giving her trouble.

I appreciate your comment on her accepting the historical truth. I had not thought about this aspect in assessing whether or not the poem could have educational value but if the adult can "feel the message" then so can the students. For some reason, the various forms of writing are often looked at with skepticism as to whether or not they are posses any educational value. I have read and been moved by many poems and works of writing throughout the years and feel they hold aplace in classrooms as much as any math text.

I agree with this solution. If we can't talk about history, race and social justice and the power of the written word in school, where can we talk about it. In most of the classes I taught last year I, a European American, was the minority in the room. It never felt like a problem for me. I do think it would be valuable however to see more men and minorities enter into the teaching profession. Based on my experience most teachers are white women which is not reflective of the students we teach. It would be nice for students to see their own race and gender reflected by their teachers but this isn't happening yet. Still, I don't think it matters if your a white teacher in a black school. If you truly respect and value your students most will give that respect back to you.

I had said basically the same thing about that fact that she would have to work hard to change their minds. I really like the idea of personally talking to the students about the situation and finding out exactly how they feel and what she could possibly do in order to change their minds or see things differently.

You made a great point about the purpose of the poem being read at the assembly. It is one person's opinion of an event that happened in the past. Gina is not the person that is being singled out during the learning experience and I think she should be respectful of the cultural views of the majority of people that surround her. The other educators and students will form a relationship with her based on her own actions and ideas, so I think she should have an open mind to the learning experience that she will go through during her internship.

Feelings are such a big part of history. As Gina felt a certain way after the program, so should the students of the school. While these feelings will range from person to person- it's important to see the progress made through the activity. I think it's important for Gina to embrace what happened at her school and use the emotion to help drive her instruction for the best.

I love your final quote about knowledge and caring. I also appreciate your perspective on reading activities as educational in nature regardless of context. The old adage "actions speak louder than words," is definitely at play here. You're right, students need to experience Gina as a teacher rather than be concerned about Gina in regards to her historical ties to the poem.

I completely agree that the students will see her for the teacher that she is. I think she should use cultural relevant text and show respect towards her students. She will gain student trust through her actions which will speak louder than any words.

I like that you mentioned the fact that the teacher is being legitimate. By using this poem, and being white, she is modeling what the poem is all about. She is using a culturally diverse text to fit her students' needs.

I agree with you. No matter what the race of the students are, it's all about building a positive community in the classroom.

I agree...it shouldn't matter what race the students are, to be an effective teacher, he/she should try to build relationships with EVERY student!

I agree. The poem can be used as a learning opportunity. Discussions of race and differences between students can always be used as a learning opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and about other people. Gina can use this opportunity to connect with her students and "legitimize" herself as a teacher in a predominately black school.

This poem can be a learning opportunity. However, teacher should try and foster an environment where problems in society are discussed in a proactive fashion. Students can discuss how racial discrimination affects them but they should also discuss how they can combat and overcome discrimination today. This will help foster a cooperative relationship between the races instead of a combative relationship.

I agree Josh. In fact the way the teacher stands out may be a good opportunity to model how we should react to different situations.

I agree with your comment. I think Gina should focus more on being new in general than what racial background she comes from compared to her new students. If her students respect her as a teacher it is not going to matter to them what race she is.

I do not think the poem will ultimately affect her ability to teach. I fully believe the students will judge her on her ability as a teacher. She should be aware of the students feelings of oppression when teaching. She should teach democratically and show her students that they are important to the classroom and that she cares for them.

I agree that her knowledge, effort and compassion as a teacher and a person is what the students will judge her on the most, not what was read in a poem. If these students are honest with themselves they will realize that the poem is coming from one persons feelings and perspective and does not reflect the opinion of the world.

I agree that it is important to express that many people can be oppressed, not just African Americans. She can share ways she may have been oppressed as a female, and students may sympathize with her and may give her more legitimacy in the classroom. Race issues are always a great topic of discussion, if it is handling carefully and appropriately.

I agree with your ideas on discrimination and suppression. I also think that she should do lessons that deal with discrimination and suppression involving all races so that non- black students can get idea of what it was like as well in the past.

Rachel, Turning this into a learning opportunity is a great idea. Also making the material relatable to her students by sharing her experiences is a great idea. Bringing in other ways that people are discriminated by also opens up the lesson for deeper discussions late on.

I agree with this solution. From the sounds of the situation, the poem would carry some good education merit in a classroom, specifically a history or Language Arts classroom. By introducing the poem to the students again in class and actually analyzing it and having the students reflect on its will help you and the students. The students will be given a chance to discuss their views and opinions and you will get an opportunity to see where the students are coming from in their opinions and possibly add to the discussion. Something like this should never make a teacher doubt their legitimacy as an educator, but just help them to understand where some of their students are coming from in their perspective.

I agree that this the time for Gina to "hold her head high." She cannot be all things to all people and may experience discrimination, but her job with her students is for the greater good. There will be many instances throughout the year, where Gina may learn from her students and vice versa. This would be a great opportunity for Gina to be the student, giving voice to the emotions evoked in her students following presentation of the poem.

I teach in a dominant African-American school/ community. At first it bothered me, how all the events, and programs were centered around the African-American culture. It made me nervous, and I felt akward. It makes sense for all these events be centered around the African-American culture, because that is what there is there. Very few whites, and even fewer Hispanics. Over the past several years I have learned to embrace the African-American culture specifically school related, but I also cherish and honor my own white culture, and continue to be myself. I hope that Gina from the story does not loose her cultural identity, and that she can embrace other cultural identities.

I agree Amy, the purpose of anything used in the classroom should be to inform and educate our students. Our world has a history that makes many uncomfortable for various reasons, but that does not mean that it should not be taught.

I agree with you. Although some readings that students come across while going to school might tug some strings, it is important that they understand that most of the readings are to portray the past. The past is the past, but it has a lot to do with our present and future.

I agree that it is important to teach children about their history and to value it. It is an important aspect of their culture, and it should be remembered. Poems like the one that Gina's student read has educational value and meaning. It is important for her because it portrays where she came from. It is important for Gina to understand that and value the student's history. It is also important for the students to value Gina's culture as well. I think this can be a learning experience for both Gina and her students.

I agree that we cannot change the past however we can learn from it and use it to change what happens in the future. The teacher also needs to remain confident because she can have a great impact on her students even being different.

I agree that students are very accepting of teachers that show they care equally for everyone regardless of race. Gina will be able to establish herself with the African American students and other races to the point that she will receive the same respect that she gives.

I agree that her teaching legitimacy should not be based on her race, but on her ability to handle herself, her students, and situations in the classroom.

I agree, Gina should still approach her job as a professional. I think she should also incorporate lessons that will generate conversations about the topic so that the students can express their opinions. That way Gina will hear directly from the students instead of wondering how they truly feel about her.

Yes, absolutely. I think this could be a great opportunity for Gina to not only learn more about these children, but give them the opportunity to learn about her. I previously stated that African Americans are taught to remember African American History to know and grow. No one should ever devalue!!!

I like your point of going into the classroom with her head held high and making sure the students do not see weakness within her after the speech. They need to see her as a strong and caring educator.

I liked that you mentioned the students have an advantage because their teacher is different from them, and I agree with you. I also think that it would be important for Gina to use the poem as an opportunity to have an open dialogue with her students. Your suggestion of having her begin by expressing her feelings would help to make students feel comfortable doing the same and allow for everyone to feel at ease as they discuss a not so easy topic.

Well stated solution. I liked that you pointed out that the poem was not directed at her just European Americans in general.

You make a great point that Gina should carry on as normal. Her true intentions are to better the students. If Gina continues to show genuine interest in their education the students will differentiate her from the perspective of Whites they gained from the poem.

I agree, her perspective is important and should be shared so that the students have the chance to see both sides of the situation.

I thought the same thing, it was great that she was moved by the poem. It does show her "openness" to people and their experiences. She does need to focus on individual students and not the group. She needs to continue to gain the students trust that she is there for the students and to help them grow in their knowledge.

This is a great opportunity for Gina to show her students through a discussion how different creative expressions can cause people to feel emotions and illicit responses in others. I like that you would have them compare their feelings and that each student would have a different perspective.

I agree with you. The teacher needs to do some research so that she can have some type of knowledge about the values and beliefs of the black students. She did experience a culture shock but it is good because she can learn how to deal with her feeling and emotions better.

I agree with your comment. This has everything to do with how she is able to handle herself as an educator, not the poem. Words from an experienced teacher will help her see that.