Is there an ACHIEVEMENT GAP or a TEACHING GAP?

We have been hearing for sometime about the achievement gap in education. We hear specifically about the achievement gap amongst various races and subjects. Well, whose problem is it? Whose fault is it? How much preparation should the teacher have to do? How much responsibility lies with the student? Teachers feel that they are being asked to get all these different certifications but why? Their pay wont go up. Should a teacher be concerned about the pay or what they can do for the student. Are teachers reaching all the students in their classes? Classes have become more diverse as the years go on. A teacher not attending professional development classes in an area that is needed at their school can be a hindrance. How is he/she keeping up with the various methods to ensure success? How can you reach a student whom you have no idea of what they need! What if you have been accustomed to teaching certain types, ethnicities, grade level students for a long time and then the room changes! Some experienced teachers may feel additional training is not needed. I disagree. Cultures learn differently yet utilizing various methods helps the learning environment. If a teacher says that there are three birds sitting in a tree, then a gunshot goes off and hits one of the birds. She then asks "how many birds are remaining in the tree?" If the African American students responds "none" and hears laughter, then we have a problem. Their culture is that they are going to protect each other. They are not just going to sit there. Understand where they come from. Use their name on tests. Talk about places where they shop. What's wrong with learning Mathematics through music! That's not just appropriate for the African - American student because many students like music. Think outside the box! "Flip" is great when it comes to students learning with music. So, is the achievement gap attributable to the teachers not being prepared or experienced to teach all students? Could that be a concern? That's why I totally disagree with teaching TO a test. Teach the concepts and let the students apply that knowledge on the test. Teachers must incorporate different methods in the classroom to engage our students. Can a History teacher just teach facts out of a history book? It's not enough. Go the extra mile and see how much that student will learn.
A teacher HAS to go the extra mile to involve and engage her students. Make learning fun. Dont attribute to the gap. Close it! Delete it! Talk back to me!