TITLE:  HOW CAN TEACHING PEDAGOGY BE ADAPTED FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE UNLIKE ME AND DIFFERENT FROM STUDENTS I HAVE PREVIOUSLY TAUGHT?

ABSTRACT:

Most students of color are taught by teachers who are White.  How do teachers who do not look or act like their students effectively teach students who are different than them?  Within this reflective action research project I was able to address how a White, female mathematics teacher can effectively teach students from all backgrounds and ethnicities.  I was able to do this by comparing differences that occur within the classroom when I compare a mostly white suburban area school to an urban school where most students are students of color.  I examined initial strategies and pedagogies that have worked well when working with students who are more like me. I also addressed how those strategies are successful or not in a new environment with a different population of students.  The goal of this reflective action research project was to develop new strategies to engage and motivate my students of color and those students who are different than me.  Ultimately my students of color should be able to succeed at as high of a rate as White students I have previously taught.

THESIS DEFENDED AND APPROVED:   FEBRUARY 2016