Beyond the Curriculum: Educators Reflect on Racism, Democracy, Purpose

Waking Up to Reality

Every morning, I roll out of bed and listen to the calming chirps of crickets. But there’s one thing that drives me nuts about our education system: racism. It’s frustrating to see how deeply it’s woven into our schools. Just consider school desegregation. We can trace so many issues back to unfairly distributing school resources based on local property taxes. This system keeps educational segregation alive and well.

And here’s what really fires me up. We see massive outrage over animal cruelty but when kids of color experience unfair treatment, people make excuses. Statements like “Well, they should have…” just deflect responsibility. This lets the real culprits off the hook!

Isn’t it wild? Some educators seem more upset about students of color finding success than they do about the oppressive systems trying to drag them down. I’m not holding back! It’s ironic. Those same educators who once marched for social justice now label discussions about racism in schools as “critical race theory.” Let’s get real – this country was built by immigrants. So, why do we act like accepting poverty for people from different backgrounds is just the norm?

Facing the Past and Present

Things get even wilder when we look at our history. We’re living on stolen land, built on wealth gained through exploitation while criminalizing immigrants. Most are just seeking a better life. I often reflect on the unbearable abuse that generations endured. Physical, emotional, and financial disasters shaped their lives. Families faced kidnapping, extortion, enslavement, and even murder. This isn’t just a dry history lesson; it’s a shocking reality that still impacts us today.

So, why aren’t we seeing reparations checks rolling out? Why aren’t educators and historians who know the consequences of slavery stepping up? Shouldn’t they advocate for economic justice alongside educational equality? It seems obvious! Yet, some educators stay blissfully unaffected, ignoring generational poverty and educational disparities as long as their own families are safe.

Striving for Change

Hold on before you fire off a heated reply. Let me be clear—nothing you say is going to change my mind! I’m not tied to any political party, so don’t even try the old dismissal trick. Since I entered my first-grade classroom, I’ve been on a mission. As a Black educator, my experiences shape how I view the world. I know how others see me during discussions or when I’m leading a class. My thoughts stem from genuine concern for students and educators who look like me.

As long as educators keep ignoring systemic racism and anti-Black sentiments lurking in our institutions, I’ll wake up each day thinking about the hurdles students of color face. I’ll continue pushing hard to raise awareness, build cultural competency, and keep those essential discussions alive. I hope to hear more than just crickets chirping outside my window!

Democracy in Education

Let’s shake things up! Let’s talk about education’s vital role in shaping active participants in a democratic society. Jeffery D. Wilhelm, a professor from Boise State University, has been diving into how schools can foster democratic values. He leads a project aimed at building a democratic culture in education.

After the intense challenges of the pandemic and rising social tensions, Wilhelm and his team have been pondering how to raise democratic attitudes among students. They focus on values, hopes, and commitments that genuinely matter now and for the future. Their project aims to teach vital democratic principles while nurturing a robust culture in schools.

What Does Democracy Look Like?

Ever heard of John Dewey? This legendary educational philosopher had some serious wisdom. Toward the end of his life, he summarized his work with, “Democracy is conversation.” It’s all about engaging in open dialogue and really understanding different perspectives. Nowadays, it feels like we’re losing that ability, am I right?

Wilhelm’s initiative highlights Idaho teachers teaming up to dive into these democratic conversations. They’re encouraging open inquiry in classrooms, tackling those hot-button issues that divide us as Americans. Their goal? To foster a more perfect union through better teaching and shared civic engagement.

Building Democratic Skills

As part of this initiative, they’ve outlined methods to focus on critical skills that students need. Check out what they’re working on:

Building Relationships: Creating a sense of belonging and community among students.
Empathetic Listening: Using techniques like “free listening” to truly hear one another.
Curiosity: Encouraging students to ask questions and embrace new ideas.
Social Imagination: Helping students view situations from various perspectives.
Understanding Bias: Reflecting on their backgrounds and cognitive biases.
Quality Discourse: Teaching effective communication skills for meaningful civic dialogue.
Critical Thinking: Equipping students to critically assess and ethically evaluate information.

These democratic principles don’t just produce engaged citizens—they also boost academic learning! Teachers have noticed that these tools resonate with their core values. What’s super cool? You can tie these approaches into any subject, making class discussions way more vibrant and exciting.

Understanding the Purpose of School

Now, let’s dig into something we all think about: What’s the actual purpose of school? Michael Pershan, a math teacher from NYC, sparks a discussion we should all have. Are schools intended to prepare students for college, careers, voting, or just life in general?

This question isn’t just philosophical. In our classrooms, we wrestle with practical dilemmas daily. Should we solely focus on test prep, even if it turns into a snooze fest for students? Or should we prioritize hiring a reading specialist over an art teacher? These tough choices stem from conflicting views about what school should truly accomplish.

Finding Common Ground

If you push me on this, I’d argue that schools are trying to juggle everything but are just spinning their wheels. They resemble a giant Venn diagram, with different values colliding all the time.

Emerging research is starting to shed light on this complex web of educational purposes. Some teaching methods supercharge math learning, while others amp up engagement and enthusiasm. So, which focus should take top priority in the long run?

As we navigate these discussions, we can’t just chase test scores. Our education system should balance academic learning with other vital goals, like student satisfaction and overall well-being. If schools can acknowledge that various perspectives on education exist, we can create environments where diverse educational experiences genuinely thrive.

Moving Forward Together

Ultimately, we need to face the music—schools must evolve. Instead of shying away from complexity, let’s embrace it! Education should cater to different needs and shape students into thoughtful, engaged citizens. Let’s keep this important conversation going and work towards a brighter, more inclusive future in education!