Start Where You Are, But Don't Stay There

In exploring diversity, I have chosen to read Start Where You Are, But Don't Stay There, a book written by H. Richard Milner IV. Milner wrote this book with educators in mind, meaning that this book directly speaks to educators about how diversity fits into the classroom.  This book presents information on how educators can understand diversity, opportunity gaps rather than achievement gaps, and how diversity applies to classrooms in the United States today.  It serves as a preparation tool to inform and encourage teachers, both new and experienced, on how diversity plays a role in the classroom and how it should be celebrated.

I chose to read this book because the title caught my attention.  In the introduction, Milner talks about how "Start where you are, but don't stay there" is an African saying which is applicable to anyone, especially in the field of education.  In reading a little more about this quote, I realized that as a pre-service teacher, it is my duty to take responsibility for my learning and never stop.  In reading this book, I further my learning about diversity so that I may transfer my knowledge into my classroom.

Milner, H. Richard. (2010) Start where you are, but don't stay there :understanding diversity, opportunity gaps, and teaching in today's classrooms Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard Education Press.