Inequality and History

It's important to understand that Penn GSE's teacher education program is committed to social justice and examining how teaching is a powerful tool in creating social change. As a part of our commitment to social change this past week my entire cohort (secondary teachers) left our teaching duties to attend a workshop called "Facing History." The topic of the workshop was the Eugenics movement in the United States beginning in the 1880's. You might be asking yourself; "why in the world would you take a week off from teaching to study the Eugenics movement?" We did it for two reasons. To examine the role and cause of racism in our country and to learn from excellent teachers (our workshop leaders).

If you're looking for a teacher ed. program where you sit, listen and observe before you begin teaching, Penn GSE isn't for you. Our program is built around interaction with peers and professors. We talk, we talk a lot and we aren't afraid to voice our opinions. Were we always like this? Nope. The program pushes you to express your opinions and to think about your role in the classroom, school and society.

So, at "facing history" when the topic came up about the inferior quality of education between predominately white and predominately African-American schools in Boston, Massachusetts we expressed outrage. We wanted to find a solution. How can you have two schools that receive the same amount of money be so different academically? Some of my peers expressed frustration with the quality of teaching at the African-American school. A video about the schools explained that teachers at the African-American school told students "I'm just here for a check." How can students learn when teachers are not supportive and not holding students to high standards? It was hard for us to realize that the teachers and administrators might be the main source of the inequality.

You have to look at yourself in the mirror before you form an opinion about anything. This program teaches you to reflect. As painful as it is to glare at your deficiencies this program teaches you to do just that. Our history explains who we are today. To omit facts about history like the eugenics movement or to omit the reality of segregation in public schools only serves to perpetuate inequality. You can't accept inequality, you have to change it, you have to give everyone the same opportunities. Are you willing to step up to the challenge?