Kayla Little

April 1, 2017
Dr. Harmon

Howard Chapter 7 Questions

1. Do you agree with Gary Howards assertion that the achievement gap in
education today is, in many ways, the result of our history of White social
dominance? What evidence do you see that either supports or counters his
argument?

There is to some degree that I agree with, and then there are some parts where I dont
agree with. How I agree with this is what I see in my school, and what I have seen as I was a
student growing up. I would see that there are some students seen to fail. This is usually students
who are African American, and there are those who are hispanic. Then there is the idea that if
their Asian then they are supposed to be smart. This can go both ways. Then with this thought in
mind, there are students who I have seen that say they arent smart enough because of who they
are, or there are teachers who think they wont succeed because of their race. Like I have stated
before is how people have their mind set on certain ways. Then Gary Howard makes the
statement, It is no mere coincidence that the children of certain racial, cultural, linguistic, and
economic groups- those who have for centuries been marginalized by the force of Western White
domination-- are the same students who are now failing or underachieving at disproportionate
rates in our nations schools (118). This is interesting because there are students who think they
arent good enough for school, or there are those who make the statements that school is a waste
of time and they dont want to be there. Usually, when I have students who make these
statements are a certain type of race, but this isnt always the case. I have some students who fall
asleep in class who are White, and then there are those who are my best students that are African-
American or hispanic. I think this is all based on how hard the teacher is going to try to motivate
the student, and their willingness to get to the students level and learn what they can do to help
the student. This is another statement Howard makes, This is a level of analysis in which we, as
transformationist White educators, must engage if we are to be effective in our work for social
justice in our nations schools. It is this analysis that tells us why the mere integration of schools
has not led to full educational equity for children of color and other marginalized groups (119).
He has many different views on the students and where their achievement gap lies, but I can see
what he is saying and I think this is crucial for not only the teachers, but also for the students and
their educational success.

2. Discuss the elements of knowing and doing that Gary Howard incorporates into his
description of transformationist teaching. Select one of the elements that particularly
speaks to you--- and share your thoughts/ reflections about this element with others in your
discussion group.
 In this section Gary Howard talks to a school with predominantly white female teachers
who are having issues with black male students. They see this as a behavioral issue, and then
they dont like what Gary Howard has to say. He talks about Race Matters, Change Begins with
Us, Beliefs Determine Outcomes, and Teaching is a Calling, Not just a Job. The one section that
really stood out to me was the last one. I think all of them are important in that knowing the
different races, and making sure we understand who we all are as an individual. Then knowing
what to change and have personal growth is huge when becoming a teacher. Having beliefs and
understanding others will help with communicating with students and creating a relationship.
This is where I am and I think it is important to know that teaching isnt for everyone. I think this
is important because if you have someone coming into this line of work everyday thinking this is
just a paycheck, then they are going to struggle with the idea of learning from the students and
gaining a connection with them. This is more than a job. This is something that people come into
to perform their knowledge to young minds that are putting their faith into to teach them. This is
a job that parents are entrusting that this individual will teach their child new life lessons and to
help build them to adulthood. Howard states, With the data showing that teachers in racially
diverse and low-income schools have the highest absenteeism and turnover rates of any teachers
in the country, it is especially important for transformationist White teachers to see our vocation
as our lifes work, imbued with deep meaning for both ourselves and our students (125). This is
important because we need to form relationships with students and their parents, and with other
teachers. We are here to help students, and it takes a lot of work. This is never an easy task and it
takes a lot of patience. There is a huge difference between people who want to be a teacher, and
those who are there because this is just a paycheck.

3. Reflect on Figures 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3. How do these models relate to your own
teaching/leadership? What is helpful about these designs? What is missing?

These models I think are great to follow along with when becoming a teacher. The ideas
of knowing yourself will help when you come into a classroom and working with a diverse set of
students. This will help elaborate new lesson plans, and help to become creative so all students
will learn. This will enable knowing how to help those who are visual learners, auditory, and
kinesthetic. Knowing the practice is vital, because if the teacher doesnt know this, then the
classroom is going to be in chaos. This will allow the teacher to know the practices to bring in
the classroom, and we are models to the students. They see the teacher Monday through Friday
for almost 8 hours a day. This is a huge part of their life, and they need positive role models.
Knowing the students is an amazing part of becoming a teacher because we learn about so many
different individuals, and we can see who they are and they can teach us new things about their
culture, and who they are. Then this is where relationship, rigor, and responsiveness comes in.
These are all huge because this is building on becoming more in tune with the students and
creating a place where they have trust and care in. They will learn the materials the teacher
provides, and the teacher's job is to make sure the material makes sense to the student and it
builds off on another. Also, making sure the teacher is there for the student under any
circumstance will really build a relationship with each other, and the student will show respect
and give the teacher their attention. This isnt always the case, but whether the student shows it
or not, they know it is there for them. Then comes in Passion for Equity, Cultural Competence,
and Culturally Responsive Teaching. This is so that the teacher knows what their job is in the
district, they have an understanding for the school and the students, they are passionate and
diligent for the students and their work, and the hold high values for the students. These designs
help see the break down and help teachers understand the different bases of the triangle, and they
can see how they tie in with each other and how it can help them become stronger teachers. This
will also allow them to see what parts they may be missing, and this is why there may be issues
with the students that they have. I used these triangles to help me with the classes I am in, and I
could say there is a lot more I can work on but I feel myself become a stronger teacher for the
students. These models help me see where I am strong, and where I need work, and with the
different descriptors of each part of the triangle it can help me critically think about how I will
work this in, and how I could be a better teacher for the student. There isnt much missing, and I
think there are parts where I am on track, but I am just going to need more time and some
guidance from those who have succeeded in their teaching career.