I am not sure about the rest of you but I was irritated by some of the assumptions that Delpit made. The one that got to me the most was the one about how we phrase our commands. I don't know about you, but the first time I tried, "Why don't you get your math book out?" I knew it didn't work. I always try to phrase my commands in very specific ways, "Get your math book out to page 370." I only have three minority children in a class of 27. I do what works best for the students in my room. Delpit assumes that because I am white, I automatically cannot communicate with the minority students. This frustrates me, because I spend a lot of time understanding how all my children think and work!

Thank You, Shelly. I agree completely.

I agree with both of you. One half of my students are minority. I have had many staff development sessions on understanding their background and culture trying to find better ways to communicate with them without offending them and their cultures.

Maria Caldwell

I totally agree with you Shelly. I work in a school where the white students are the minority! My classroom is composed of white, latino and black students. I do my best to relate to all of my students. Yes, there are differences in all of them, but that is what makes the experience so wonderful. I do not think that because I am white that I am not capable of giving my non-white students the education that they need and deserve!

Thank you, as well. I was pretty irritated by the assumptions made because of the color of my skin. I do not judge the children in my room based on the color of their skin. I get to know the children and what they are capable of based on my goals and expectations, not what has been done in the past. A child may have been a discipline problem for someone else and usually is not for me. It is all in the way you approach the child.

Renee

I was upset as well when reading the article. And I agree with all of you. I do try very hard to get to know my students and how they think. I also do not use the previous teacher's opinion of students either. Because, they are not usually a problem if I take the time to get to know them and to show them that I do care.

I agree with you all. I dont feel that i discriminate. I treat them all the same. I think they would tell you that. And throught the years some of my favorites...come on we all have them...have been african american students. This year I have one boy and he drives me crazy but he has a great personality. He is great.

Shelly,
I completely agree with you.
If I asked my students, " Why don't you get your math book out?" Several of them would likely say, " Why don't we go outside instead?"

Darla