Review Of Here's What I Wish White Teachers Knew When Teaching My Black Children

It's no secret that we all come from different walks of life. Our students tend to be the ones that suffer from these differences from their peers. Fitting in or having a sense of belonging can have a huge impact on our children, especially in a classroom setting. Teaching children about their history and creating a safe space to undergo these conversations without retribution could convey a better understanding of each other’s likeness and differences, such as language,race or culture. To overcome language barriers, one effective approach could involve enlisting the assistance of a bilingual student for translation purposes, or the student and teacher could use Google Translate as an option to communicate. According to Mitchel Beck and James Malley,

More often than not, especially in today’s society, race tends to be an issue with students feeling as if they do not belong. Children tend to say hurtful things without any regard to whom they are affected. “Here’s What I Wish White Teachers Knew When Teaching My Black Children” -Afrika Mills Some would read this title and be taken back. Others would continue with an open mind because like Africa, we as parents want what is best for our children. Sometimes that means hearing a hard truth, such as learning about the things that a textbook will NOT teach. Unless you have lived through certain things and experienced them for yourself, do you really know what it's like? Teach students to embrace their unique qualities and be proud of them rather than feel as if they hinder them, As educators we must incorporate diverse perspectives, histories, and experiences. By doing so, we validate each student’s identity and create a more inclusive environment. This will in turn open respectful conversations about cultural differences, helping students develop an understanding of and appreciation for one another’s