An Inflection Point

… seriously. I could probably write 250 words on how unjust it is to do a single blog post covering the topics we hit on this week. It took me a day just to process and be able to sit down and write about this week. All three meetings we had this week deserve their own blog post but alas I digress… and I’m already 67 words in.

Implicit Bias Training

Monday we sat down with the wonderful Dr. Kristen Antoine-Morse to discuss principles for nurturing diverse learning environments. The two things that resonated with me the most were around the discussions we had regarding cultural identity and implicit bias. 

Principles for Diverse Learning Environments

To build a better classroom for all learners it’s imperative that we, as educators, take the time to know our students. We must strive to connect with them so that they feel valued as individuals and safe to be who they identify as. Cultural identity extends beyond race and gender and it’s too easy to look at our students and generalize things about them based on our implicit biases. 

Cultural Identity

If we do not reflect on our own biases, then we are fostering an environment that inevitably leads to discrimination. The conversations will not be easy but we must rip off the metaphorical bandaid if we ever hope to heal the gaping wounds of systemic racism and wealth inequality. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic,  Black Lives Matter, and the immigration crisis, the start of the 2020-21 school year has the potential to be the most difficult year for educators and students across the world. The silver lining is that it can be a turning point for our country’s future. I’m determined to play my part and hold my colleagues to account.