Being Latina is not enough. How can new teachers learn to negotiate and manage the cultural insensitivity prevalent in their diverse classrooms—not only so students can achieve more, but also, so they can learn how to interact positively with each other in everyday life?

Discussion Questions

1. What should Ms. Quintana do next? How should she follow up with Yesica and Daysean?
2. How can Ms. Quintana get the culture sensitivity training she needs? What responsibility does Riverbank College have for providing this training? What is ETA’s responsibility here?
3. How can Ms. Quintana use other teachers in the school to help her deal with this issue of cultural sensitivity?
4. What systems should be in place to help teachers better communicate with their students? Should it be based on culture?

By
Brenda Gonzalez

TNLI Affiliate:
New York City

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