Conclusion

Final thoughts on Gary R. Howard's We Can't Teach What We Don't Know: White Teachers, Multiracial Schools


I've had a wonderful experience reading Howard's text in addition to teaching in a multiracial classroom. Howard talks a lot about working with African American students. In my placement at Reavis, I would say that the majority of my students are Latino. But when Howard discusses working with African American students, we can translate this into working with students of all races. I have never considered the idea of White dominance and how it pervades the minds of all cultures. Through Howard's explanation of this, I am beginning to see how I must become a White Transformationist teacher and make it a life-long goal to teach others about the importance of celebrating diversity.

There are a number of questions that I still have a hard time wrestling with. I have come across some wonderful insights as to how I will be able to better work with my multicultural students, but some ideas, feelings, and beliefs will come with time. I know that I have dedicated my life to being the best teacher that I can be, but there are still some things I am unsure about. Here are some questions:

• What if there are not enough White teachers who intend to become Transitionist teachers?
• If bad things/experiences keep happening to our multicultural classes, then how can we teach our students that we as White teachers care for and believe in them if this idea of White dominance continues to persist?
• How can White teachers and teachers of other cultures work together to show students to importance of diversity?

I have a plan as to where I want to go next in developing my professional growth for the future. 

1. Because I am working toward my ESL endorsement and studying to teach English Literature, I have begun thinking about what I can do for readers of all ages. I have already begun writing a children's book where I will blend pictures with words and teach students about different cultures. The book I am currently working on does not have a title yet, but it will go further into explaining one Mexican folktale focusing on a young girl, Isabella. By the end of this semester, I will have created a binded and completed hardcover book that I will use in my classroom library. I will also have submitted my manuscript to at least five multicultural-center children's publishers. 
2. I plan to read the following books over the summer to further my understanding and my beliefs on how to better work with diverse students: The Flat World and Education: How America's Commitment to Equity Will Determine Our Future by Linda Darling Hammond, Other People's Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom by Lisa Delpit, The Trouble with Black Boys and Other Reflections on Race, Equity, and the Future of Public Education by Pedro A. Noguera, Courageous Conversations About Race: a Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools by Glenn E. Singleton and Curtis Linton (eds.), and Start Where You Are, But Don't Stay There: Understanding Diversity, Opportunity Gaps, and Teaching in Today's Classrooms by Richard Milner. These books were all suggested to me in my Education 380: Novice Teaching course, and they all focus on diversity. Since Howard's book has changed something within me, I can only imagine how I will feel when I have finished reading these additional five books. 
3. I have already begun creating a Reading Group for ESL students of all ages. My best friend and her family are from Mexico. They run a music program out of their home where they teach the violin and piano. Since I am at their home quite frequently, I have been asked by some of the students' parents to teach their children how to read better. When summer comes and some of the students are at my friend's house for lessons, I plan to read with these students in hopes of strengthening both their reading skills and their love for reading. 
4. On Saturday, April 14th, the Moody Bible Institute will be holding its 7th Annual Chicagoland ESL Conference. I was invited one year, but was unable to attend due to a busy schedule. I may try to attend it this year since it seems very interesting to me. 

Reading Howard's text has been very rewarding to me. I have thought about and struggled with a number of concepts he presents in his text. I also encouraged you to read his book We Can't Teach What We Don't Know: White Teachers, Multiracial Schools, especially if you are considering working with diverse students.