City Kids, City Teachers, now reissued with a new preface by William Ayers, has become a touchstone for urban educators, exploding the stereotypes about teaching in the city. In more than twenty-five provocative selections, each of which is introduced and set in context by Ayers and Patricia Ford, an all-star cast of educators and writers explores the surprising realities of city classrooms from kindergarten through high school. Contributors including Gloria Ladson-Billings, Lisa Delpit, June Jordan, Lewis Lapham, Audre Lorde, and Deborah Meier move from the poetic to the practical, celebrating the value of city kids and their teachers. Useful both as a guide and a call to action for anyone who teaches or has taught in the city, it is essential reading for those contemplating teaching in an urban setting and for every parent with children in a city school today.
"Hopeful, helpful discussions of culturally relevant teaching... moving illustrations of what urban teaching is all about. An inspiring collection." -Publishers Weekly
"With its upbeat mix of ready-to-share city kids' memoirs and classroom strategies, this book is an inspiring resource for veteran teachers, parents, community members, and students." -Educational Leadership
"You'll feel sad, angry, hopeful, agitated, and inspired." -NEA Today
"City Kids, City Teachers has the potential to create genuine change in the learning, teaching, and administration of urban public schools." -Library Journal
