Discussion Guides

As teachers and school leaders, several considerations need to be addressed before leading a discussion around equity. We must be able to hold space for students to feel safe and discuss topics that can be tough and controversial. It is vital that the leaders of discussions based around social issues, such as, equity and social identity, has engaged in their own work.

Anti-Racism Discussion Guide

Nationwide uprisings against police brutality and movements like Black Lives Matter have brought systemic racism to the forefront—making it imperative for district and school leaders to cultivate anti-racist school systems. Historically, district leaders have focused on multicultural literacy and implicit bias training, but the national conversation has catalyzed a focus on anti-racism.

School Leaders Guide to Create Healing Dialogue Space

As students return to classes, it’s important to address the historical and collective trauma everyone has experienced due to both the COVID-19 pandemic and our civil rights movement. Schools are made up of people who now are going through something. No matter their age, the people in your school community may be grieving or suffering under enormous stress and need compassion and support. Here are some ways to create and hold authentic, healing dialogue space for those in your school community.

How do I talk about race with my mostly white kids

Race and racism are important topics to bring into your classroom. Because race is part of our public conversation and integrated into so many aspects of our world, young people want to and should be part of that conversation, no matter their race. White students in predominantly white classrooms should be discussing race for those reasons and because they are members of a multicultural society and world.

Let's Talk

Educators play a crucial role in helping students talk openly about the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of social inequality and discrimination. Learning how to communicate about such topics as white privilege, police violence, economic inequality and mass incarceration requires practice, and facilitating difficult conversations demands courage and skill—regardless of who we are, our intentions or how long we’ve been teaching.