Unearthing Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching

Book excerpt: Unearthing Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching: The Legacy of Gloria Jean Merriex focuses on the theory and practices of a highly successful mathematics teacher of African American children in a high-poverty school. The book aims to contribute to the limited literature base in this area in mathematics education. The discussions in the book center on the ideals of culturally responsive teaching (CRT), and seek to build understanding of this concept in the context of mathematics. Further, the story of Gloria Jean Merriex speaks to the importance of historical influences on teaching practice. Her story is couched in sociopolitical realities of the American educational system, and is discussed as such. Cultural incongruities that exist in classrooms and contribute to the black-white achievement gap, particularly in mathematics, are also discussed.