What’s Next Zone
For teachers who have begun to learn about ABAR work independently or through other resources and are ready to explore further.
It is likely that you self-identified with mainly 2s and 3s on the equity assessment, or Ibrahim’s Learning Zone resonated with you.
Explore the Learning Resources in the order they are listed. While doing so, engage with the Reflection Questions as you proceed. To most effectively engage with this toolkit users should review the Reflection Questions in their entirety, both before and after they’ve fully explored the Learning Resources provided.
Learning Resources
Reflection Questions for Black or IPOC educators
Reflection Questions for White eduactors
Read The Elephant In The Room by B. Wyzlic
What role do I want to have in dismantling racist practices in my school community?
In what ways have I upheld, supported, or left unchallenged racist policies or practices in my school?
Read Antiracist Work in Schools // Are you in it for the long haul? by E. Kleinrock. Follow up: create your own mission statement.
How do I feel empowered to challenge racist policies or practices in my school? If I don’t, what are my barriers?
How will I hold myself accountable to my colleagues of color?
Watch How To Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Toward Them by V. Myers. Consider also exploring Talking About Race: Bias and How Can White Educators Be Accountable to Their Colleagues of Color?
In what ways have I observed the struggle of all racial groups under white supremacy?
How will I sustain anti-racist work throughout the school year and beyond?
If you haven’t already by this point, take the Harvard Implicit Bias Test.
White educators read Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront System Racism by A. Singh
BIPOC educators read How Indigenous Black and POC Educators Envision a Better School Experience by K. Newhouse
In what ways has white supremacy impacted my biases toward other racial groups?
What relationships in my life give me respite, and how can I lean into those in order to sustain anti-racist work?
How did my biases form, and how do they impact my work in the classroom?
How will I continue to dismantle my biases moving forward?
Dedicate time to return to the reflection questions in their entirety.
Take Action
Actionable steps that test and implement the lessons throughout this toolkit.
Liberate your library and read Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books by L. Derman-Sparks. This booklist provides additional resources.
Independently or in collaboration with other anti-racist educators, use Netflix & Skills (a film analysis assignment geared for students in middle school or high school) in your virtual classroom.
From White Racist to White Antiracist: The Lifelong Journey, by Tema Okun - this gives words and indicators for life-long work toward antiracism
Create a professional development opportunity within your department or team where you discuss any of the articles listed. Start with a small group. Consider using Teaching Tolerance’s Let’s Talk! guides to help navigate difficult conversations.
Reflect and evaluate how your school uplifts students of color. Create an action-oriented list of ideas to further promote an anti-racist environment. Engage students in this process. Use the Week of Action Blueprint as a starting place as needed.