The issue is important but I think it is more complex than a single choice. For example, a Caucasian teacher with a class of students who are African-American (inter-cultural) can be very effective if she understands the dynamics and issues that her students (and family members) experience when faced with a teacher not of their race. Many of the issues are under the surface and have an impact on the teacher-student alliance, which in turn, affects learning. My work with teachers on inter-cultural practice has suggested that schools of education do not generally address how to have conversations that address these "taboo" issues. As for teachers of the same race (intra cultural), while they may not experience some of the issues white teachers experience, there are issues there as well. As one African-American Assistant Principal shared in a workshop I presented, it is extremely painful when an African-American student or parent charges them with being a sellout or even a more offensive term. Once again, while culture is addressed as a subject area in training the process of responding - what do you actual say and do when this happens - is often not. I'm curious what others have experienced since I may be over-generalizing.

Larry Shulman, MSW, Ed.D.