Ensemble Class: Troubling the Monster Narratives about Faculty of Color in the Classroom

We all understand ourselves through a collection of experiences and characteristics, through story. Far from a fanciful notion, teachers need to make themselves legible in a variety of high-stakes contexts, from grant applications to tenure portfolios. The question of “what kind of teacher you are” becomes a weighty inquisition– one that targets faculty of color. Some of the most beloved teaching practices are based on narratives of Western individualism. In this essay, we introduce a unique methodology that decenters hierarchical teaching practices in order to make the coveted banner of “good teacher” available to a diverse faculty.