Ladson-Billings (education, U. of Wisconsin, Madison) examines eight exemplary teachers who differ in personal style and methods but share an approach to teaching that affirms cultural identity. Her portraits, interwoven with personal reflections derived from her experience as a scholar, teacher, and parent, present intellectually challenging and culturally relevant classrooms that promise to improve the lives of all students. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Ladson-Billings writes with three voices: as an African American scholar, a teacher, and a parent and community activist. Among the issues the author addresses in a readable blend of storytelling and scholarship are separatist education and culturally relevant teaching in content, presentation, and presenter. Current successes and future prospects for improving the school experiences of African American students are also addressed. Here is a book filled with pride and questions that should stimulate anyone interested in improving education.
"This is an eloquent, optimistic, and extremely useful book." (Joe Nathan, director, Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, and author of Charter Schools: Creating Hope and Opportunity in American Education, from a review in Teacher)
"Capture(s) the complexity of race relations in education by describing and analyzing how low teacher expectations detrimentally affect interpersonal relationships as well as student learning.... In addition to being informed of the pedagogical and personality orientation of culturally relevant teachers, the reader is exposed to an excellent example of the effective use of researcher subjectivity in a qualitatitve study.... Ladson-Billings' research methodology, her use of narratives, and her 'unconventional' writing style are of great value in expanding the range of what can be defined as solid qualitative research." (Communication Education)
"Education, like electricity, needs a conduit, a teacher, through which to transmit its poweri.e., the discovery and continuity of information, knowledge, wisdom, experience, and culture. Through the stories and experiences of eight successful teacher-transmitters, The Dreamkeepers keeps hope alive for educating young African Americans.'' (ReverAnd Jesse L. Jackson, president and founder, National Rainbow Coalition)
"In this beautifully written book Ladson-Billings illustrates the inspiring influence of a select group of teachers who keep the dreams alive for African American students." (Henry M. Levin, David Jacks professor of Higher Education, Stanford University)
"The Dreamkeepers is an immensely important and useful book for teachers and teacher educators...In a creative, credible, and persuasive way, Gloria Ladson-Billings has made a major contribution to the field of multicultural education." (Jaqueline Jordan Irvine, Candler Professor of Urban Education, Emory University)