Final Thoughts

My experience in reading Start Where You Are, But Don't Stay There has been eye-opening.  Prior to reading Milner's work, I had an idea about diversity in the classroom without knowledge in how I could transfer it effectively.  In reading Milner's framework on opportunity gaps and embracing diversity in relation to the scenarios he presents, my perspective has changed.  I have developed a deeper understanding of how teachers play a role in facilitating celebrated diversity in the classroom in order to encourage students to achieve their goals.  The various scenarios presented in chapters two through four really grabbed my attention and showed me how my biases must be put aside to really grasp how diversity should be embraced in the classroom.  The teachers in these classrooms went out of their way to build connections with their students and encourage them to participate with one another to develop a classroom community.  Reading this made me desire the same thing in my own future classroom.

This book has also left me questioning the focus of diversity in the classroom that is portrayed.  The concluding chapter really left me feeling attacked because of my race and how preservice white teachers don't have a firm grasp on diversity.  A few of the scenarios in the text describe African American teachers as they strive to make connections with students, but Milner's work is wrapped up with a study done on six white preservice teachers that have no experience with diversity and therefore struggled with diversity in the classroom.  In reading this, I discovered some tensions that I must overcome.  I felt like Milner chose these white preservice teachers to make a point, but also displayed some bias.  As a preservice white teacher that grew up in a minimally diverse educational setting (like the ones presented in the study), I understand diversity and feel that it pervades into all aspects of the classroom.  I want to learn more about diversity so that I can effectively build a strong community in my classroom.  These tensions presented in the last chapter left me feeling bitter, but have also fueled my drive to become a teacher that celebrates diversity each day in my classroom.

Overall, this book has served as an element of encouragement.  It has helped me recognize my position on embracing diversity and has encouraged me to transfer my understanding into my own classroom.  It has also encouraged me to further my understanding and pursue further learning on diversity and its role in the classroom.  One book that I would like to read in the future is entitled Culturally Proficient Education:  An Asset-Based Response to Conditions of Poverty by Lindsey B. Randall.  The description of this book tells that this resource offers information on maximizing educational experiences for all students.  This book closely relates to Milner's work, which leads me to believe that it will be a good read.  I also plan to attend a cultural seminar if given the opportunity.  Through my research, I have discovered that DePaul University in Chicago offers quite a few workshops on diversity.  I believe that attending such a workshop or seminar in the future will positively influence my knowledge on diversity and how it will transfer effectively into the classroom.