TC's Chris Emdin was interviewed by WNYC's Brian Lehrer about the importance of being culturally responsive to students while not sacrificing academic rigor. That means having more teachers of color in the classrooms, but also teaching white teachers and teachers of color to read their students' cultural cues so they can communicate in ways they all understand.

​Cultural responsiveness can be learned, Emdin says.

"When you go into a classroom that's operating well, it feels like magic, But magicians aren't real wizards; they are dedicated people who have practiced a craft over and over again until it's been perfected. Same with teachers.​" 

Emdin's new book is "For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood... and the Rest of Y'all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education" (Beacon Press, 2016)​

To listen to and read a transcript of the story, click here.

Published Wednesday, Jun 8, 2016