“Du Bois turned his efforts toward making the separate African American schools quality schools that offered equal education, not integrated education” (Ladson-Billings, 2009, p.5). As an American, I do take pride in the fact that all American citizens have access to free public education, but I often find myself questioning the quality of this education. 

This is not something I have ever thought about regarding culturally relevant teaching, but it makes sense. Teachers who have a negative view of education or themselves are unable to explore, accept, and integrate the cultures of their students. I feel that good teaching in general cannot occur if a teacher is not confident and passionate about who they are and what they do every day!

The text also brought up another interesting point when it said that a large number of schools especially in inner city areas are already segregated, however the African American immersion school movement would focus on taking control of these schools, which bring to light another issue, the lack of people of color in administrative positions in public schools.

As the chapter goes, another important part was the description of a fifth grade teacher who was an older black lady that did not look like the stereotypical fun teacher. I myself had a first grade teacher who sounded a lot like Mrs. Burns, and at all times we were to conduct ourselves with excellency, anything less and you weren’t trying your best. She left us all feeling like our efforts were our best, and we worked hard to give that to her. As a teacher now, I understand how she loved her students and set very high expectations, and she never let us subscribe to the notion that we were less than, or less capable that any other student because we always gave our best.