Black Teachers on Teaching

by Michele Foster

A candid and eye-opening look at what desegregation has actually meant for students—with lessons for today—from the teachers who were on the front lines of integration Black Teachers on Teaching is an honest and compelling account of the politics and philosophies involved in the education of Black children during the second half of the twentieth century. Michele Foster collects wisdom from those who were the first to teach in desegregated southern schools and from others who taught in large urban districts, such as Boston, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. All go on record about the losses and gains accompanying desegregation, the inspirations and rewards of teaching, and what they saw as the challenges of the future. This is an essential capsule into the mindsets of Black teachers as we entered the twenty-first century, with relevant lessons for readers today. If there is one lesson to be taken from Black Teachers on Teaching , it is that Black teachers have always been, and remain, a vital part of our nation’s educational system.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Lauren Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little dated but I lovedddd hearing about the different experiences Black Educators had during segregation and integration. Black Teachers went through a lot during that time period. This book had some good gems though and made me realize my purpose is teaching and educating the youth.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Teachers on Teaching by Michelle Foster is a powerful and necessary collection that amplifies the voices of Black educators with honesty and depth. As a Black woman who has spent 20 years in education, I felt both seen and moved by the perspectives shared throughout these narratives. The stories capture not only the challenges but also the resilience and brilliance that have shaped generations of teaching. My only critique is that the book ends somewhat abruptly. I longed for an afterword to weave these powerful accounts together. Still, this is a deeply impactful and essential read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series of oral histories of Black teachers. Reading this, I was reminded again and again how little we are taught about the history of education in our country. The different experiences of the teachers were fascinating. Knowing the history and experiences of these teachers is a necessary step in implementing any change in our current schools.

[Motoko Maegawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Miss Buchanan's Period Of Adjustment" is episode three of season two of Malcolm Gladwell's Podcast, Revisionist History. In this episode, the Browns, of Brown v. BOE, discuss what motivated them to join the lawsuit and fight for desegregation. Contrary to what revisionist history has us believing, it was not because of poor quality black schools and the opportunity to join a 'better' integrated school. (Listen to the podcast, it's a good one, for more on that!)

Within the episode, this book is mentioned. I was so appalled by my lack of actual knowledge on this topic after listening to the podcast, I found the book at my local library. As I read it, I wondered how in the world I had made it through 20+ years as an educator without knowing the stories contained within. After the introduction, in which Foster explains how and why she conducted the interviews which make up the bulk of the book, there is just story after story that needs to be read and understood. Each one is profound in its own way, regardless of it is tells about pre- or post-segregation laws. Those of us seeking to be allies to the black community need to know more about the historic and systemic oppressions and how they play out in our daily lives. This book is a good place to help us build our understandings so that we can see and be a part of fixing inequities in education.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!

[Jesse Ginsburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. It is necessary for not just teachers but anyone who is interested in working with children.

[tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Foster’s work. This book gave an exceptional qualitative look in to the lives of Black teachers who accomplished the unthinkable during a time when Black community schools were under-resourced, under-funded, and left to fail. These teachers inspire the work I do today and I’m glad their stories were collected and published for teacher educators like myself to enjoy and learn from.

[Charlie Stetson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very educational read! I personally wish it was more research based nonfiction as opposed to biographical and interview based, especially because some of the interviews felt a bit repetitive by the end. Other than that I enjoyed myself, and it was great to learn more of the nuances of desegregation in schools

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like that it was essays, but I felt that this had very little practical application to contemporary teaching. Most of the teachers taught during or before the 60s.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very eye-opening and thought provoking. Filled in pieces of history I did not know I was missing. Now I need to go prepare to facilitate a discussion on it- tonight . . . and then write a paper.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

interestingish