Steele
and Aronson explain the concept of “stereotype threat” and how a teacher’s low
academic expectations for students of color is often born out when students
believe that the work they are doing in the classroom will confirm a negative
stereotype about them. The chapter goes on to suggest that teachers can
counter the pervasive negative images by creating classrooms where students
are inundated with the images and achievements of people who look like them.
When we model "self-talk," we “teach
students to reconsider the nature of intelligence.”
Teachers can not allow stereotypes get in the way of
teaching kids. We need to know our
students so we can help them grow and implement techniques that put them on a
rigorous educational path.
