“For educators and policymakers who are passionate about social justice in public schools, Teel and Obidah have given us a valuable gift: real people, real stories, real data, real strategies. Interweaving the voices of new writers with those of world-class researchers, this book illustrates the complexity, the necessity, and the do-ability of our journey toward cultural and racial competence.”
—Gary R. Howard, author of We Can’t Teach What We Don’t Know

In this compelling anthology, a diverse group of experienced teacher educators and practicing teachers tackle the impact of race and culture on teaching and learning. Sharing their personal experiences, research, and reflections, they focus on the connections among teacher quality, teacher preparation, and the achievement gap for African Americans and other children of color. They address ways that teachers can assess and enhance their own racial and cultural competence and in so doing better educate their students, especially in inner-city schools. Providing an inspiring and practical tool for engaging in successful, meaningful education with K–12 students of color, the stellar group of contributors offers:

• Concrete ideas and advice on what educators can do to support teachers to become more racially and culturally competent.
• Multiple perspectives providing a variety of new insights on current research and practice.
• Honest and thought-provoking personal narratives on race and schooling.

Contributors: Tarika Barrett, Ann Berlak, Jeffrey M. R. Duncan-Andrade, Kitty Kelly Epstein, Edward Fergus, Carl A. Grant, Kimberly Mayfield, Sekani Moyenda, Pedro A. Noguera, Jennifer E. Obidah, Christine Sleeter, and Karen Manheim Teel.

Karen Manheim Teel is a professor in the Graduate Education Department at Holy Names University in Oakland, California. Jennifer E. Obidah is the director of the Education Evaluation Centre at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. They are the authors of the bestselling book, Because of the Kids: Facing Racial and Cultural Differences in Schools.