I agree with the author of this article wholeheartedly. One of the most important aspects of the article, brought up the often times overlooked idea of teacher power. Last semester, while I was visiting some of the schools, I wondered about how my own bias as a teacher could affect my future students. However, that had more to do with how everyone in a classroom will have different personalities, but I need to keep mine in check not to clash with students. This article added an additional perspective to the dangers in teacher bias, even when it comes to things not necessarily involving students directly, but still impacting their education.
This summer, while reading, I kept trying to consider what types of students may enjoy the books as I am reading them. It has been difficult for me to determine at the end of the week whether I would have a book in my classroom, even if I did not like it. This is because for most of them, I could see some students enjoying. I think going forward, I need to be cautious with how I approach reviewing books, too. This semester, whether we like a book or not, we have to consider and write down what type of students we think would like something we have read.
Going into my teacher career, I think it is important to keep an open mind, and also consider what are the good qualities in this book, similarly to how the author did in the article. This practice will also help me in reviews going forward, and give me more of an insightful view on a book.
As teachers, we all bring our own biases, opinions, and stories to the classroom. I think what I am learning most is that that is okay. BUT, it should never be the loudest voice in the room; it should just be another voice, helping students find a love in reading.
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