Each essay reads like a case study in best practices for urban educators. Although (future) teachers will find themselves making a lot of notes on the margins of this book, two themes made a particular impression on me. First, lessons must be relevant to stick, and making them relevant is 100% the responsibility of the teacher. Only when we know our students well enough to understand what they will find relevant will we be in a position to teach effectively. Second, the teacher must relentlessly maintain high expectations of each student. It takes a lot of work to tailor a demand of each student that is appropriate for her/him; but doing so conveys a message of recognition, esteem, care, and support that will make an impression.
Noguera’s messages are not new. But they are delivered with a degree of authority and insight that is unusual. If you can’t read the book, invest a half-hour in listening to Leonard Lopate’s interview of Noguera; the audio clip can be found at:
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2008/06/10
2 comments:
I like the notion of maintaining high expectations. If a teacher has low expectations for a student, the teacher is effectively saying," I dont think you can do any better". Secondly, it simply does not test the potential of the students. Low expectations generally amount to low performance relative to students who are the products of high expectations.
The brief intro to the book you gave made me want to learn more. So many times in class we discussed the importance of making subject accessible and meaningful to the students; a way for them to use it or at least relate to it in their lives, rather than simply material put out there half-hazardly.
I think that is a useful tool for all teachers not only urban teachers since we all (hopefully) want to captivate the interests of our students, not just have them memorize materials for a test. The second notion about potential is a must also for any teacher. How can teachers expect their students to succeed and believe in themselves when they (the teachers) don't even believe in the students. How can the students aim higher when nothing is expected of them, when they are not praised for trying, much less for achieving.
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