An Introduction
Events in society continually remind us that racism and inequity persist in us and in the world around us. If we, educators, are to improve education for our students, we need to examine ourselves, the systems in which we function, and our roles both within and outside of these systems. We need to believe that in order for all of our students to "matter" and thrive, Black lives matter and so do the lives of other marginalized groups.
Changing systems requires educators to be more than "non-racist" bystanders. Educators need to be antiracist. We must realize that this change is an ongoing process comprised of recognizing moments that fluctuate between racist and antiracist acts and committing to consistently doing more to act in antiracist ways (Kendi, 2019). Furthermore, white educators need to engage in personal development that does not place the burden or responsibility of educator learning on the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the educators' lives, including colleagues and students.
Following from Teacher Collaborate's mission of development, collaboration, and leadership, educators need to reflect and learn, share and network, and lead through meaningful action. "&1" is a sequence of activities and resources that support educators committed to developing, collaborating, and leading for antiracist, equitable education that serves all students.
Changing systems requires educators to be more than "non-racist" bystanders. Educators need to be antiracist. We must realize that this change is an ongoing process comprised of recognizing moments that fluctuate between racist and antiracist acts and committing to consistently doing more to act in antiracist ways (Kendi, 2019). Furthermore, white educators need to engage in personal development that does not place the burden or responsibility of educator learning on the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the educators' lives, including colleagues and students.
Following from Teacher Collaborate's mission of development, collaboration, and leadership, educators need to reflect and learn, share and network, and lead through meaningful action. "&1" is a sequence of activities and resources that support educators committed to developing, collaborating, and leading for antiracist, equitable education that serves all students.
What is "&1"?
"&1" is a project of Teacher Collaborate and is focused on building educator understanding of racism and inequity to foster agency for antiracist action and creation of equity in classrooms, schools, and communities.
Anitracist, equity work is both an individual and communal endeavor that requires ongoing reflection and efforts for continuous improvement. There is not a singular, simplistic program that can quickly erase centuries of oppression. Instead, a series of acts from a growing body of people commited to action can lead to positive change.
Anitracist, equity work is both an individual and communal endeavor that requires ongoing reflection and efforts for continuous improvement. There is not a singular, simplistic program that can quickly erase centuries of oppression. Instead, a series of acts from a growing body of people commited to action can lead to positive change.
Why "&1"?
"&1" is a reminder to educators that even one racist act, whether intentional or not, can have lasting impacts on a student's life and education. However, "&1" also represents adding one more person and one more antiracist act can move us closer to overcoming racism and inequity.
"&1" can encourage individuals to reflect on their actions to continually add one more antiracist action in their classroom, school, and community. Beyond individual acts, "&1" can engage additional people in the quest for an antiracist and equitable society. "&1" aims to provide resources and tools that support individual and collective development. This development can empower voices and acts that lead to changes in policies, systems, and institutions that have been built on and are functioning in racism and inequity.
"&1" can encourage individuals to reflect on their actions to continually add one more antiracist action in their classroom, school, and community. Beyond individual acts, "&1" can engage additional people in the quest for an antiracist and equitable society. "&1" aims to provide resources and tools that support individual and collective development. This development can empower voices and acts that lead to changes in policies, systems, and institutions that have been built on and are functioning in racism and inequity.
What's Next?
An overview of each &1 component is overviewed below. Each can be accessed on this site by clicking the link. The components can also be provided as a Google Classroom, MS Word, or PDF version upon request. Each component includes a progression of modules and resources. You can choose to progress through the modules on your own or you can create group that can learn together, reflect on practices, and hold each other accountable in your journey to becoming increasingly antiracist.
DevelopIf you would like access to learning opportunity in Google Classroom, as a MS Word document, or PDF document, please email [email protected].
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cOLLABORATE |
Lead |
reference
Kendi, I. X. (2019). How To Be An Antiracist. One World.
