Why The 'White Hero Teacher' Concept In The Hood Is Flawed

Often times, teachers are seen as heroes. Yes, because they impart knowledge and provides inspiration and motivation to their students. Their craft is not easy. It is a calling that is not meant for everyone.

Per The New York Times, Ed Boland watched movies like "Dangerous Minds" and "Stand and Deliver" where heroic teachers touch lives and made a difference. He believed that he could do the same thing.

Ed Boland wrote the book "The Battle For Room 314" where he shared his experiences in teaching in New York City public high school. His enthusiasm for teaching collided with the harsh realities of his students' lives.

"I thought, I want to work on the front lines. I want to be one of those teachers that kids really like and listen to and learn from, and you can turn a kid around," he said.

Not everyone was impressed with Boland's intention of teaching.

According to PBS, a hero teacher narrative is problematic. The said model perspective can be traced back to colonialism and it still exists because it is already imprinted in the American history.

A hero teacher narrative is putting the young people in a position where they seem to be needing help and worse are unable to be saved. Kenya Downs believe that the hero narrative concept is flawed and she assessed her teachers by asking them why they want to teach.

"I always say, if you're coming into a place to save somebody then you've already lost because young people don't need saving," Downs said. "They have brilliance, it's just on their own terms. Once we get the narrative shifted then every teacher can be effective, including white folks who teach in the hood."

Dr. Chris Emdin believed teaching children of color and from poor backgrounds requires a set of skills that one can develop but it may take time. He added that Ed Bolan is not for the said arrangement.

"Teaching in an urban school is a specialty, like surgery," Emdin said per The New York Times. "I would not have my internist performing heart surgery. And I would not have Ed Boland teach in an urban school. He's not trained for it."