“I Can Only Teach You What I Know”: Transnational African Immigrants’ Knowledge in the Classroom

• In Event: Poster Session 2
  In Poster Session: Meeting the Needs of Immigrant Students

Abstract

This paper highlights the transnational learning experiences of 18 1.5- and second-generation West African immigrants. Looking through the lenses of transnationalism (Basch et al., 1994), critical raced-gendered epistemology (Delgado Bernal, 2002), and Afrocentric knowledge (Dei, 1994) three main themes emerged: Belonging both ‘here’ and ‘there’; transnational learning; and transnational youth as resources. These participants’ unique position of mediating between their country of origin and settlement helps them reconcile their sense of belonging to both countries and engage in considerable learning. They can thus become a great resource for classrooms by promoting understanding between their communities at the local and global levels and filling the gap in knowledge that is currently being transmitted about Africa and Africans in K-16 educational settings.

Authors

• Azlina Abdul Aziz, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Isabelle Tibi, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Michelle G. Knight, Teachers College, Columbia University