Chapter 4: “They Must Get It, They Must Learn”: Exploring Teaching as Community Mothering for a Multi-generational Mississippi Family of Black Women Teacher-Leaders

This chapter considers the historical role of Black women as powerful figures central to the well-being and survival of the African American community over time. Framed by research perspectives from Black feminist and life course thought, this chapter examines and critically analyzes the life histories of three generations including four Black women teacher-leaders from a Mississippi family of educators. The purpose of this chapter is to highlight how the Black women teacher-leaders of this family engaged the historical conditions of their generation to [re]conceptualize and enact a time-and context-specific, powerful form teaching practice(s) as community mothering dedicated to achieving the individual and collective well-being of Black children through education. Respectful, caring relationships between educators and students have been identified as essential components of successful teaching for African American learners.