The Chicago Experience: Border Crossing for Social Studies Preservice Teachers

Research on a week-long internship in inner city Chicago schools and community agencies revealed that “border crossing” can assist social studies preservice teachers in learning about the inner city, but critical reflection and long term program commitment to unlearning racism and developing multicultural teaching competencies are necessary for white teachers to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for teaching in diverse settings. The potential and limitations of short-term inner city experiences as well as ideas for more comprehensive efforts at creating culturally competent white teachers are discussed.