Abstract:
How do we bridge the mismatch between teachers and students based on race and ethnicity currently in our nation's schools? The teaching force remains overwhelmingly White, while the percentage of K-12 students of color continues to rise. Because of cultural dissonance, teachers may not understand the needs of their students. This study shows evidence of bridging this preparation gap and confirms findings by others of the impact fieldwork among elementary students of color may quickly make on preservice teachers ' perspectives and abilities to teach children of color. Additionally, the authors uncover evidence that African American mentor teachers are critical in helping to produce culturally competent and successful teachers of African American children, especially White preservice teachers with limited experiences in diversity
