Im an early educator that spent 8 years teaching first grade in the public school system. I have heard how some teachers talk about young African American girls as having too much attitude or being disrespectful. After coming to NC Pre-K, I have noticed that these mis- labels start much sooner than the public school years.
I recently became the lead teacher of a NC Pre- K classroom that already had a Pre-K classroom. A few staff members have asked if I have seen any atypical behaviors from one four year old young female of color. This child doesn't have an IEP or any developmental delay that has been documented so I understand if they were giving me a heads up on her behavior. Once I was able to meet her and interact with her, I knew she has been labeled incorrectly. There is nothing wrong with her. I noticed she was smarter and more aware of her surroundings than typical four year olds. She doesn't miss a beat and that is a great trait for a four year old.
Educators have to understand that when students are gifted in one area, usually they will be lacking in another area (typically social/emotional). With the right eduational setting anyone can trive.
As educators, we have to make our own decisions about children based on the information that that child presents during our face to face instruction with each child in question. We have to make our own evaluations based on our interactions with each individual child because my reactions and behaviors will be different from your responses to a child's behaviors. In the right educational setting, anyone can thrive.
Young African American girls are labeled as disrespectful or classified as having an "attitude" if they show signs of strong independence or have a strong personality type and this is wrong. When children are taught to stand up for themselves at home and advocate for themselves, these traits are often seen as unbecoming in educational settings. Its wrong how African American girls taught to be bold and strong at home, but are sterotyped as showing "attitude" or labeled as being "disrespectful" if they display strong traits of independence in educational settings. We, as educated individuals, need to see each child as an individuals that don't have to beat to the same drum. With competent teachers, anyone can thrive.
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Josha Barton
Lead Teacher
Little Believers Academy
Raleigh NC
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