There are certain times in history when certain books simply have to be written to address pertinent issues in society. Personally, An Educator’s Guide to Working with African American Students is one of these books. Simply stated, I have implied answers to some pertinent questions in my other books, White Teachers/Diverse Classrooms: A Guide to Building Inclusive Schools, Promoting High Expectations and Eliminating Racism (co-edited with Julie Landsman) and The Dilemmas of Being an African American Male in the New Millennium: Solutions for Life Transformation (co-authored with Kris F. Erskine). However, as many times as I have tried to convince myself that I was not going to do this project because it really seemed like ‘common sense’ to me, I came to realize that if I did not complete it there would be a major void in the field of education.

An Educator’s Guide to Working with African American Students is very personal for me because I am deeply disappointed in a profession I love so much. To put it as plainly as I can, African American students are dying in the K-12 public, private and charter schools across our nation! While educators are quick to discuss a myriad of reasons as to why it is not their fault, we (educators) never discuss what is in our locus of control. As a result, this book is a guide for teachers to have as a resource. Webster (2009) defines the word guide as “something that provides a person with guiding information.” As a result, I hope this book reaches exactly the people that it should reach to make a difference for African American students in the most affluent country in the world.

Further, this book is for the African American students whose eyes I look into as I travel this great country. Their eyes look at me with all the potential that is trapped inside of them that is begging to be nurtured. They want to learn, they want to perform well in school. After a while, these same eyes of potential turn into eyes of frustration because the very educators that, in most cases, are paid to educate these students are, in most cases, the same people that truly do not believe they can even perform academically.

Also, this book is for the parents who send their children to school expecting something great to happen for their children. However, when their child or children matriculate through our nation’s schools, they are met with what I call “educational rhetoric”. This educational rhetoric tells the parent all that is perceived to be wrong with their child or children rather than what is needed to put your child in the best position to make a positive impact on their lives. I want you to know that I hear your voice as I write this book as well.

Finally, I hear the voices, hopes and dreams of so many who have died for African American students to have a right to a quality education in this country. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice so that one day the education profession in this country can reach its full potential by serving the educational needs of African American students. When this happens, all of these students will have the opportunity to experience the ‘good life’ that only an education can provide.

I hope you enjoy this book…let’s take the journey!

-Chance W. Lewis, Ph.D.