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Anti-bias and Anti-racism in HUSD is not just a professional development training, it is an approach to education in general
Overview
One important thinker and activist for equity and anti-racism is Dena Simmons, who has explained that one approach to act for the cause in education is to engage in vigilant self-awareness; increase your knowledge of accurate history and concepts associated with equity and AB/AR; hold each other accountable; affirm our students and families; consider our larger context; and constantly check in with our students and families as our educational partners. This month’s feature on HUSD’s AB/AR in Action will highlight one story of how these suggestions have been taken up by one of our own.
Elanda Turner, English Teacher At MLK Jr.
What does it look like with Elanda Turner, Middle School English teacher in HUSD?
Ongoing Action
Elanda runs a Black Student Union as well as the school's AASAI...
”Ongoing actions looks like consistent community building and collaboration with OUR students, through BSU, their families through AASAI and our staff through open and courageous conversations. Furthermore, action looks like consciously continuing to introduce culturally responsive curriculum within our classrooms.”
Additional Resources:
Vigilant Self-Awareness
With Elanda, it looks like...
“Being a BSU advisor for the past few years has allowed the opportunity to assist our students in learning how to create community and use their voice. BSU is a platform to have an open dialogue and invite speakers who will educate and address the concerns of our students. It is a safe space for our students to meet friends and share their successes, concerns and questions with their advisor and their peers. Supporting them in turns helps me with my own self-awareness.”
Additional Resources:
Teaching Tolerance Article about a BSU
Black Students of California United site
Increasing Knowledge
With Elanda, it looks like:
“AB/AR in Action must continue to focus on adjusting the lens of our own personal biases and triggers. The objective is to learn how to best serve our students and community. One of the beauties of being an educator is the hunger we have to continue to learn, grow and strategize how to best serve our communities.”
Additional Resources:
National Museum of African American History and Culture - Antiracism primer and resources
Holding Each Other Accountable
Elanda is also an HUSD AB/AR Skilled Facilitator:
“Becoming a team member of AB/AR has intensified my awareness of being culturally responsive to all of OUR students. Having the opportunity to learn how to lead a dialogue of how biases and a racist lens with the HUSD family has pushed me out of my comfort zone. It can be intimidating, but is a powerful opportunity to assist in changing the actions and scope of how we respond to the needs of our students and overall community. Most importantly, WE must be at the table if we want OUR issues to be acknowledged and resolved.”
Additional Resources
Article and resources on intentionally developing an antiracist team
Affirming Our Students
Elanda's efforts have led to new opportunities for students to engage with the Hidden Genius Project and Black Girls Code
" I believe it is imperative to building community with and for our students by linking them up with resources, such as, The Hidden Genius Project and Black Girls Code that may change their trajectory and plant seeds of generational wealth. Martin Luther King Middle School has been collaborating with The Hidden Genius Project (Black Boys Code) for the past year to begin a pilot program in HUSD. The Hidden Genius Project is more than a coding program. This organization trains young men how to become mentors and in return teaches our students how to become mentors and innovators. They offering a chain reaction which can create generational wealth. My goal is to present life changing resources; also, plant and water seeds which will ultimately grow into solid Oak Trees. Our future is at stake and it is our responsibility to pass on knowledge.”
Additional Resources:
Acknowledging the Larger Context
“The larger context of AB/AR in Action is to create the opportunity for educators to become self aware and reflect on how we are presenting curriculum and approaching Social Justice issues to and with our students. Plus, how we approach our families and each other.”
Additional Resources:
Checking In With Students and Families
“AASAI (African American Student Achievement Initiative) is a platform for the Black community in HUSD to share issues, concerns, successes, and resources. Most importantly, It is a time to celebrate, break bread and teach our students how to create and support community; also, how that support looks and feels.”
Additional Resources:
Next publication will be in Feb. 2021
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