The RAD Educators Network
The RAD Educators Network is a collection of educators working within a variety of contexts who are committed to working for equity and social justice education. We believe that educators, working within and outside formal education, have a vital role to play in helping students and teachers understand their role in reducing prejudice and discrimination, uplifting student voices, and advocating for more equitable and just educational policies and practices.
As the RAD Educators Network began to take shape in 2018 our aim was to create a space for educators to build relationships in a supportive community with a broader goal of empowering educators to grow this work in their own schools and workplaces. However, under the current political climate in Alberta with direct attacks on public education, we feel it is necessary that the RAD Educators Network collectively take a stand in advocating for an equitable and just education system for all. At the heart of our work is our desire to advocate for the students in the margins of our education system and society. These young people will be the hardest hit as funds to education are cut, class sizes increase, and fewer supports are available to those who need them the most.
We will continue our work in building a community of educators to learn about, implement and advocate for equity and social justice education but we will also build upon the skills of our network to counter attacks on public education, particularly those on Alberta’s public schools. We are inspired by the work of so many educators and students across this province and believe that we can not only defend public education but also advocate for a more inclusive, just and equitable education system for all. If you are interested in joining your efforts to ours please take a moment to fill out this google form to let us know how you would like to contribute to the RAD Educators Network.
We see ourselves as “rad” in the sense that this organization is comprised of truly awesome and thoughtful people. We do not see ourselves as “radicals.” It’s not radical to understand that hatred (e.g., racism, homophobia, etc.) impact the lives of our students. It’s not radical to see how students living in poverty face inequity within the system. It’s not radical to grow capacity amongst our colleagues to defend and fight for a more just, equitable and public education system. We are teachers, community & adult educators, professors, early childhood educators and researchers who firmly believe that centring the issues of equity and social justice along with racial, economic and climate justice will allow us to create the classrooms and schools that all young people deserve. Be rad and join us??
