Gary Orfield - Teachers Make a Difference

The speaker reflects on the profound influence of two key educators in their life: Mulford Q Sibley, a political philosophy professor known for his radical yet effective teaching methods and deep understanding of democratic values, and John Hope Franklin, a prominent black historian whose work on Reconstruction and racial equality shaped the speaker's understanding of history and commitment to civil rights. These educators provided models of teaching and thinking that have deeply impacted the speaker's intellectual journey.

What lessons did the author learn from their undergraduate advisor regarding student engagement?

In what ways did the author's education challenge their understanding of history and civil rights?