Jenny and Donny belonged to a social underclass. They were members of a social group referred to as "urban Appalician," "poor whites" from the mountains or hills, "hillbillies,""white trash."Donny's failure to learn was not considered worthy of attention, and Jenny's inability to get herself heard was immidiately related to this fact. Jenny wasnt taken seriously as a concerned mother, because it deeply held belief, or stereotype, that poor urban Appilicians are unfit as parents. This stereotype prevented school personal from interpreting her complaints and concerns in the same way they would interpret complaints and concerns from a middle-class mother. Donny's failure to learn anything was not noted because this was an expected pattern. Nothing to get excited about. What do you expect from these people? Happens all the time! That someone would care about this family was somewhat unsettling to the school.

I chose this part of the reading to talk about because I was in shock by it! I think as teachers we need to be very careful not to use stereotypes. The mother in the reading was obviously concerned for her child and like most mothers she just wanted the best for him. I think that it is not only the school and teacher's job to make sure every student learns but to feel safe and excepted. I can only imagine how the children in this school acted toward Donny, if the adults treated him and his family the way they did. I understand that things like this often happen in schools, but I believe that it is the teachers job to try to end stereotypes like these. With as many resources that are offered in schools, I feel that a student can be successful if given the opportunity. Everyone wants someone to believe in them, to believe that they will succeed. I do not think a teacher should doubt a student because students will strive to a teachers expectations.