The Power of Life Histories to Enact Culturally Sustaining and Antiracist Pedagogies

• In Event: Bridging and Connecting: Culturally Responsive Schooling

Abstract

As classrooms become increasingly diverse across the United States, teachers face challenges in meeting the different needs of their students. The National Center for Education Statistics (2019), reports that since 2014, less than half of public-school students have been white but the demographic of teachers remains primarily white and female. Faced with this growing racial and cultural disparity between teachers and students, including their racial, cultural and ethnic lives is as critical as teaching content. Life Histories as a framework and methodology can move teachers towards a culturally sustaining practice. Our research looks at four case studies in middle and high schools. Findings and implications will be addressed.

Authors

• Marjorie E. Madden, Rowan University

• Susan Browne, Rowan University

• Valarie G. Lee, Rowan University