“Why Are We Only Learning About White People?” The Role of Identity in the Curricular and Pedagogical Considerations of One Latino Educator

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the perspectives of Ricardo, a Latino educator, and his experience with navigating identity as he made curricular and pedagogical considerations in his practice. The chapter begins by reviewing the literature on the experiences of minoritized educators in education, asking: How do minoritized educators navigate the complexity of their identity as a minoritized individual and educator working within predominantly white concepts of knowledge and behavior construction? This chapter analyzes a collection of focus groups, individual interviews, and curriculum artifacts as a means of approaching and analyzing Ricardo’s experiences. This analysis illuminates, (1) how language and hybrid classroom discourse was used to connect with students, and (2) the deep responsibility Ricardo felt to create bridges to the curriculum for his students. The findings of this chapter underscore the need for teacher education programs to better support minoritized educators in navigating the complex positions they assume, as educators and as minoritized individuals, and the ways that these two identities intersect in their practice.