PUBLICATION: Ties That Bind? The Teaching and Post-Teaching Trajectories of Black and Latino/a Community Insiders and Elite College Graduates," by Brantlinger, A., O’Neal Turner, B. & Valenzuela, A.

Students, Friends, & Colleagues:

Happy to share this recently published piece titled, "Ties That Bind? The Teaching and Post-Teaching Trajectories of Black and Latino/a Community Insiders and Elite College Graduates, co-authored with Andrew Brantlinger and Blake O’Neal Turner in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis https://doi.org/10.3102/01623737231162583

Abstract: 

"Community teachers, particularly those who are Black and Latinx, are assumed to improve retention and outcomes depending on retention in schools that serve low-income Black and Latinx students. Based on a critical quantitative analysis of data collected on the career trajectories and retention of hundreds of alternatively certified mathematics teachers, the study shows that community insiders exhibit significantly higher rates of retention in district schools than community outsiders and, in particular, those from elite colleges. Utilizing quantitative critical theory methodology, the study helps to move the field beyond race-neutral analyses of teachers’ retention and careers."

In short, the study lends support to the idea of growing our own, community-based educators, i.e., establishing pathways into the teaching profession, and why investing in community-based teachers that emanate from their local communities to subsequently teach in them makes good sense from a policy perspective.

Conversely, on the other hand, it encourages us to re-think introducing 

"economically and socially privileged community outsiders as teachers in low-income neighborhood urban schools under the assumption that, as the graduates of the nation’s most selective colleges, they will be particularly effective at improving student learning, even if they stay only for a few years (Higgins et al., 2011; Lovison, 2022)."

It was a pleasure doing this work with University of Maryland professor, Dr. Andrew Brantlinger and his newly-minted Ph.D, student, Dr. Blake O'Neal Turner.

-Angela Valenzuela

NYC Front Lines Doctor Explains How Easy it is to Not Get Infected And Stop the Spread of COVID-19

***APRIL 5, 2020 UPDATE The CDC now says all Americans should wear masks — here’s a simple DIY approach at 7:50 a.m. ET***

Friends,

Learn from an intensive-care NYC doctor, David Price, at Weill-Cornell hospital on how you can protect yourself. A few important lessons: The transmission from the virus is almost exclusively from your hand to your face. The average person doesn't need a medical mask. The reason to put a mask on is primarily to not touch your face. Always know where your hands are. And when you're out and about, always use hand cleaner or wash your hands when you touch anything out there.  Plus, stay 3-6 feet away from people.  

I found this to be very informative and reassuring in terms of how to protect yourself and your family.  You don't have to be afraid of the outside world. Just discipline oneself according to these precautions.  

My main caveat here is that this video does not say everything, even as it is consistent with what has already been said.  For example, singing in a choir aerosolizes the virus and should be avoided. Never does he say to not self isolate.  He says that we all have to shrink our social circles.  That said, we should all abide, to the extent possible, to stay at home orders. 

Feel free to pass this on to others. Thanks to Dr. Pedro Pedraza for sharing. Incidentally, this recording came to my friend, Pedro, who is from NYC, who got it from a friend of one of his friends who pulled Dr. Price aside—"who is in the thick of things"—to record this at the hospital.

There are a few versions of his presentation. I recommend the long version which is the one posted here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxyH1rkuLaw  And do listen all the way to the end.

-Angela Valenzuela

#StayAtHome #SelfIsolate #Covid19

Public Address—A. Valenzuela: "Liberating Ways of Knowing," Teachers College, Columbia University, Monday, July 16, 2018

For all my New York friends and supporters of Ethnic Studies, generally, see you soon! 
-Angela