Teaching for a Better World
“Change depends on people knowing the truth. Change depends on people speaking that truth out loud. That’s what movements do. Movements educate people to the truth…” — Unita Blackwell
How many of us who work in schools understand the truth of why students end up in the margins of our education system? For those of us who are acutely aware of this truth, how do we educate our colleagues and the wider community to the impacts of oppression on students? How do we shift the conversation in our system?
Systemic inequities in our education system exist and are perpetuated because many of us work within this system with blinders on. Due to our implicit bias, we are unaware of the many ways in which oppression impacts students and teachers. If we don’t acknowledge the impact that racism, homophobia, classism and other forms of oppression have on students then our chances of solving the opportunity gap between students will never be achieved. There is no amount of strategies pushed by “Edu Celebrities” that can solve what plagues our system. Gamification, growth mindset and “teaching like a pirate” are all distractions to the root cause of inequity within our classrooms and schools.
And we can’t just talk about the inequities that exist within our school system but we also have to act on them. I’ve spent so many hours in workshops, lectures and in relationships with other teachers trying to demonstrate the value of this work. I’ve been ignored, dismissed and even laughed at doing this work but we can’t wait around for folks within our system to feel comfortable having this conversation. We have to bring the work forward for the students who are currently facing inequities and injustice. I don’t want to wait another ten years hoping that things will be different.
The good news is that we don’t have to wait to take action. There are real and meaningful steps that we can take within our classrooms, schools, and system to help young people who face barriers in their education. Incorporating culturally relevant pedagogy, restorative justice, democratic classroom management among other strategies are just a few steps we can take to transform experiences for young people in schools. But beyond this, our work must involve lifting up the voices of students and teachers in the margins to understand their experience in our schools. If we don’t uplift and validate these experiences and stories then we have no hope of solving the issues that plague our system.
And once we’ve really listened to the experiences of those who face oppression within our classrooms and schools, we have to interrogate our own bias’ and understanding of the policies in which our system operates. Standardized testing, academic streaming, and disciplinary policies are all inequitable practices that are widely supported in Alberta. We know that success on standardized exams is largely determined by socioeconomic status, we know that students of colour and lower socioeconomic status are more likely to be streamed out of academic courses as well as face harsher disciplinary actions than their peers. How do we uplift this reality in order to shift our policies and practices to be more equitable and just?
This isn’t easy work but in my eight years in Alberta, my circle of educators who are on the same path as me has grown. It is incredibly encouraging to see folks in K — 12, post-secondary and community educators connect to share resources and support our collective work through the RAD Educators Network that we established a little over a year ago. I count myself very lucky to work with and be connected to folks across Alberta who are working for a more equitable and just education system.
I was as burnt out as I’ve ever been at the end of the last school year but after a little rest and relaxation this summer I feel re-energized and ready to continue the work that has been laid before us by the scholars, researchers, and educators who have been invested in equity and social justice education for decades. I’m proud to follow down this path with so many wonderful educators to continue the work of teaching for a better world.
