From the Tribune:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_698415.html?_s_icmp=networkbar
In the article a Pitt faculty member states that
"We just know that people learn better from people who are like them and can relate to their experiences."
Is this statement true? If you think back to your own education, did you learn best from people who are most similar to you?
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9 comments:
So taking that statement to its logical conclusion, a 7-year-old homeless black child is going to learn best from a homeless black teacher. And so on. And of course, Asian students are going to learn best from Asian teachers. So is the Pittster saying that we should segregate students and teachers?
Maybe not a homeless black teacher, but a black teacher who had been homeless?
Then again, is that child best served by having a black teacher who had been homeless every year, or would a mix of teachers from different backgrounds be best?
So white suburban kids should only be taught by white suburban teachers? Black teachers need not apply?
What a sad, racist article.
This is a nationwide problem. Why someone is making this a Pittsburgh issue is mind-numbing.
Is it possible for a middle aged white to walk in the shoes of a black child? It depends of the individual but I certainly think it is possible.
There is more hope in these children and their perceptions as to who is an honest-to-goodness individual out to help them than there is in most adults, who see things simply in black and white.
It comes down to heart. Either you have the ability to honestly empathize, or you don't. You can't fake it, and the kids know who is "real" and who is a phoney, regardless of their color.
I worry sometimes about that department at Pitt setting back any positive changes to society with some of the opinions they espouse. Other than that, after finishing the article, at least with the closing thoughts from Mr. Barnett, there was a balance.
If it was true that students learn best from people most like themselves, and that the district is correct in its claim that there are major differences in the way males and females learn, then the district should be able to show a compelling reason to hire all female teachers for the girls' school and all male teachers for the boys' school.
All I can say is as a professional who daily experiences reverse discrimination; It is the administrators who are racist more than the parents and students. The African American Administrators seem to think only other African Americans can "relate" to their black student population. They are so wrong. From my professional experience, I have seen as many non-caring African American staff as I've seen non-caring Caucasian staff in relation with working with African American students. I am so tired of the bias.
I agree with "Old Timer"s post from 9/8 4:17. Either you can empathize with the kids or not. The kids are not stupid and pick up the vibes immediately. It does not matter what race you are. Maybe someone needs to provide professional development to the dumb ass PELA's and other racist administrators about this concept.
I agree with "Old Timer"s post from 9/8 4:17. Either you can empathize with the kids or not. The kids are not stupid and pick up the vibes immediately. It does not matter what race you are. Maybe someone needs to provide professional development to the dumb ass PELA's and other racist administrators about this concept.
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