Offers advice to teacher educators and teachers on how to prepare for teaching in underserved communities

Introduction.- Part I:  Teachers, Dispositions & Contexts.- Chapter 1:  A Cause Beyond Ourselves.- Chapter 2:  Leslie Reich:  Addressing the Achievement Gap Head On.- Chapter 3: Clare Rachko:  Critical Explorations of Literature and Community.- Chapter 4:  Rachael Chou:  Language Immersion and Literacy Expression.- Chapter 5:  Megan Karmondy:  All Children Deserve an Amazing Education.- Chapter 6:  Tracie Sanlin:  An Honorary Community Member.- Chapter 7:  Unpacking Teachers' Narratives:  What Really Counts.- Part II:  Implications for Teacher Educators, School Leaders, and Teachers.- Chapter 8:  Recommendations for Teacher Educators.- Chapter 9:  Recommendations for School Leaders.- Chapter 10:  Advice for Teachers.- References

This volume informs the reader about new teachers in urban underserved schools and their development as teachers for social equity. The accounts of five novice teachers who grew up outside the communities in which they teach lead to chapters that contain advice for teacher educators, future and current teachers, and school leaders.  These early career teachers learned much about bridging the cultural divide between themselves and their students, confronted and resolved big challenges that may immobilize some who set out to teach in these communities. They brought to their classrooms strong social justice orientations, including a moral imperative to make a difference in the world, an awareness of social and educational inequalities, and a strong sense of responsibility to positively influence the life trajectories of students in their charge. Their narratives offer insights on the dispositions and contexts that will help early career teachers survive and thrive and make a difference in their students' lives.