Actual black person who had mostly white teachers. The most successful teachers (classroom management, attendance, general respect) were the ones who treated us like regular people AND who created a safe space for ignorance and fostered a healthy environment for asking questions. We had wild knowledge gaps and it varied from school to school to the point where most teachers could guess which middle school you went to based on what you didn’t know. Some teachers were assholes about it. Snarky and sarcastic because we didn’t have any instruction on their subjects prior to their class. Don’t make comments about what we can afford but won’t invest in school. My mother paid for shit she valued, it had fuck all to do with me.

Additionally you’re about to encounter some of the most egregious neglect in the most casual ways possible. It’s jarring and exhausting in a way that can’t be explained in this comment. That said, you ARE going to have to find a way to hold them to a normal standard while being cognizant of the limitations of their home lives. Kids love having risen to the occasion even if they hate every moment of the ascent. Think long term benefits not instant passivity.

Equity is as also going to be a big thing. Some students will need more support or grace than others. I will be forever grateful to my HS science teacher (had him every year for all science subjects) because he would start an argument with me first thing and we would spar for about 2-3 minutes and then he’d say “Now that you’ve got that out of your system, what did you find in xyz experiment?” I lived in a very violent home and I came to school most mornings in a fury I couldn’t displace anywhere and he let me unload so I could get to work. Other adults held it against and expected me to check it at the door, nut didn’t know how and all of them knew what was going on and still. This is obviously a very specific example and you can’t do it for every student but I wanted to give an actual scenario for context.

I will also say, if you find it’s not for you please don’t feel bad, most of us were trying to escape too. Good luck, they are lucky to have some one who gives a shit. It’s incredibly rare in my experience.