White Teacher, all black students and families.?

Question

As a white woman teaching in an all black student body, I feel discriminated against by my students families. One grandmother demanded that her grandson be given a black teacher. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Answer 1

I say congrats that ur a teacher and that you should be proud and u seem like a great teacher

Answer 2

I don't have any experience with this particular situation but I know what it feels like to be the only black child in an all white school. I was put in private and catholic schools most of my life and wow was that hard! Some of the teachers resented the fact that I was even allowed to go when in fact my parents paid full tuition just like the rest of the parents. I dealt with hostility, racism, misplaced trust, and antagonism most of my primary years. Most black grandparents have dealt with racists their entire lives. they honestly feel as though you'll be harder on their children, that you won't grade fairly, that you'll push them too far, that you won't see their potential. What you can do is type a general letter informing your students and parents that you are sincerely there for the children's benefits and it would help if they could also talk to the students and get involved as well so that it will make the transition easier for you. Let them know your door is always open and that every student will be treated equally and fairly. Tell them your teaching style, be firm but empathetic. But most importantly, be you. That's all you can do. Answer all questions they have, support them, be friends, really get to know your students so they can go home with nothing but good things to say about you. That will turn some minds around as well. God be with you and I'll be praying for your success.

Answer 3

I don't have any experience with this particular situation but I know what it feels like to be the only black child in an all white school. I was put in private and catholic schools most of my life and wow was that hard! Some of the teachers resented the fact that I was even allowed to go when in fact my parents paid full tuition just like the rest of the parents. I dealt with hostility, racism, misplaced trust, and antagonism most of my primary years. Most black grandparents have dealt with racists their entire lives. they honestly feel as though you'll be harder on their children, that you won't grade fairly, that you'll push them too far, that you won't see their potential. What you can do is type a general letter informing your students and parents that you are sincerely there for the children's benefits and it would help if they could also talk to the students and get involved as well so that it will make the transition easier for you. Let them know your door is always open and that every student will be treated equally and fairly. Tell them your teaching style, be firm but empathetic. But most importantly, be you. That's all you can do. Answer all questions they have, support them, be friends, really get to know your students so they can go home with nothing but good things to say about you. That will turn some minds around as well. God be with you and I'll be praying for your success.

Answer 4

It is bad that you would be put in that situation,I don't really have first hand experience with what you are going through.But when I was in high school I was in a class with all black boys,I was the only girl and only white student,The teacher was white.And the students gave him a hard.And from what I seen with the parents they didn't show him much respect.That year was a bad year for him.The teacher did kill himself that year,I don't know if it had anything to do with the kids or not,but he shouldn't have been put in that at all. I made it through OK,I wasn't treated unfairly by the students for being white,but I did get a lot of sexual comments,What I would say to you is talk to your supervisor and tell them how things are and see if there is something that can be done to make it easier.

Answer 5

I understand how you feel. People can be quite rude, and discriminating sometimes. They usually base their thoughts upon stereo types. The best thing to do now is to ingnore your student's grandmother's comments, and anyone elses. Forgive and forget is what I would say to be most effective. Allow them to switch teachers anytime. Unless your life is in danger, or you feel very uncomfortable, do not give up teaching your students.

Whatever challenges you face, try to make the best out of it. If you want, you can always teach in a multi-cultural school. Best of luck with your students.

Answer 6

Been there, done that. And if I did the same as a white to a black I would be branded a racist, fired, or even sued. I just remained professional, and straight-forward. It can be hard, but it does work, and sometimes parents turn around and apologize. I would tell the parents I wanted the best for their kids. When some parents said I was singling out a particular child for punishment, it had to be because he was black. I was straight with them and pointed out how could be cause all the kids in class were black! and I described the difficulty I had with the child and I asked the parent what I could do to help the child in class. This seemed to turn things around. good luck , I am sure if this teaching assignment is 'your thing' you will do just fine. and I too had grandparents who refused to put their granddaughter in my class cause she didn't want her to be taught by a 'white'. well, I told her she would miss out out a great learning experience. Halfway though the year they approached me and apologized. Seemed like the 'black teacher' they picked for her was junk! I'm got her for this school year!

Answer 7

i feel bad for you. try praying and i will too :)
make a good first impression.
make sure that all the students and their parents know your skills in teaching and how much you could help their child.
If someone has real problem with you dont fight with them unless it comes real out of hand with a certain parent. ask the principle to move their child into another class so that the parent would not bother you.
And if that is still not working out after at least a marking period then transfer to another school.
find a class with pupils and parents that likes you for who you are not your color of skin.
good luck :)

Answer 8

nicely, on the grounds that he's a sociology professor, he might want to recognize there are countless approaches to look at a difficulty. it really is in basic terms one reason and probably not the most significant one. There are extra unmarried be sure households in u . s . than there use to be, yet human beings prefer to act like this is nonetheless taboo. this is wide-spread contained in the white community as well. elevate the death of the relations unit in u . s ., and this is archives. Edit: Why are human beings denying that this exceeded off? i'm in sociology direction at present. They communicate race each and every of the time.

Answer 9

Consider this an experience in the racism that black people face every day. Also, consider who made this request(demand). She is at least 40 years old. Her experiences of racism probably made her life very difficult and she is just trying to protect her grandson from having those same experiences. No, its not fair and its not right, but for the sake of your own sanity, try to see it from her perspective.

Answer 10

The worst thing to do is go in there and act black, act like you are better than them or compare your life to theirs. As a black young female Ive done had plenty of white teachers and they came into my classroom and acted just as I told you not to and they didn't last long. Just do something to get their attention, listen to things they listen to watch what they watch bring their world into your teaching program. Get their attention play games get to know them and see what yall really have in common but remember what I stated not to do.

Answer 11

Maybe they parents have had bad experiences with white teachers in the past. People have to do what they think is best for their kids. All you can do is not hold onto resentment and do your job. The alternative is to make life worse on these kids who don't deserve it.