White or IPOC Working with Black or Brown Students

Mother and educator Afrika Afeni Mills reminds white teachers of the following in her writing, “A Letter to White Teachers of My Black Children: “I know it’s tempting to think that because you teach in a school with a high percentage of Black students, racism isn’t an issue for you. Please know that proximity doesn’t equal awareness.”

Principal Joe Truss gives the following advice to white teachers: “Listen in White spaces and in mixed-race spaces for racist remarks, microaggressions, racial-equity myths, White rage, and white-supremacy culture. Pay attention to what other White folks say in staff meetings, small breakouts, and, even more importantly, informal conversations in the staff lounge, the parking lot, or the copy room. But it's not enough to just listen. If you see something, say something and do something. Be ready to go to war with racists and even harder with the "I'm not racist" folks, at a moment's notice.”

The resources here, whether you are newly entering anti-racist work in education or are deep into your journey, are curated to help you self-reflect, self-educate, and grow your skills as an anti-racist teacher. Jamilah Pitts also reminds teachers that, “the silence on the part of white teachers who teach black and brown children is insulting.” Identifying bias and learning more about racism in education is essential to building the skills and cultural contexts to say something, to teach differently, and to make classrooms safer and more welcoming for Black and Brown children.