Embedded Files
The first step to change is to hear and make meaning of what our students are saying and experiencing. Start with the Minority Scholars Podcast and find many more videos in the Counter Story Archive.
Minority Scholars Podcast
The MCPS Minority Scholars Program created a powerful 30-minute audio podcast featuring the Thomas S. Wootton High School Black Student Union co-presidents. In the podcast, they share their experiences and frustrations about the lack of meaningful action and change.
The word cloud on the right reflects students' feelings about how adults—including school staff, Central Services, and the Montgomery County Board of Education—have responded to concerns.
While the podcast discusses experiences at one school, similar experiences have been shared by students across MCPS. In Dr. Taylor's video, he says, "Since starting as your superintendent this summer, we have witnessed persistent reporting of racist, anti-black, antisemitic, and other incidents of hate and bias occurring within our schools and district as a whole...we have not managed every incident in the best way every time. This is more than unfortunate; it is a disservice to the students, staff, and families..."
The questions below help us to process what we are hearing.
How do the students' comments make you feel? Why?
What are the main points that the students want MCPS staff to understand?
What questions come up for you as you listen? What would you like to learn more about?
Is there something we should do differently based on the perspectives and experiences of these students?
Listen to the Podcast
MSP-1FULL.mp3
A five-minute compilation video of different student voices
The Counter Story
The Counter Story is an archive of videos from previous editions of EquityMatters! The series provides the voices of our students, families, and staff, who are often marginalized in the media, curriculum, and classrooms. Counterstories help us to interrupt our explicit and implicit biases.
The Counter Story is an archive of videos from previous editions of EquityMatters! The series provides the voices of our students, families, and staff, who are often marginalized in the media, curriculum, and classrooms. Counterstories help us to interrupt our explicit and implicit biases.
These videos provide opportunities to bring in voices that may not always be heard. They can be used as activators for staff meetings or with students.
These videos provide opportunities to bring in voices that may not always be heard. They can be used as activators for staff meetings or with students.
2nd Annual Student Anti-Racist Film Festival
2nd Annual Student Anti-Racist Film Festival
Encourage your students to submit a film to the Anti-Racist Film Festival. All MCPS are invited to attend the festival to hear directly from MCPS students.
Submissions will be due on February 5th, 2025.
The Film Festival will be on February 22, 2025, at the AFI Theater in Downtown Silver Spring.
Page updated
Report abuse