The Impact of Black Educators in Classrooms

Summary

The transcript focuses on self-advocacy, accountability, and the challenges students face in education, particularly Black and Latino students. The speaker discusses their approach to helping others advocate for themselves, especially in situations involving educational inequities, like a professor's refusal to provide extended time. Emphasis is placed on the need for accountability in the education system, the intersection of social-emotional and academic development, and ensuring equitable access to advanced coursework. The speaker highlights the ongoing dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism and stresses the importance of addressing trauma and inequities in schools moving forward.

Takeaways

• 📢 The speaker often finds themselves advocating for others, using their own self-advocacy skills, especially when students face issues with professors or staff.
• 💡 They emphasize the importance of persistence in advocacy, guiding students to escalate issues until a resolution is found, while acknowledging that solutions aren't always easy.
• 🔊 The speaker mentions not hesitating to get loud and boisterous when needed, even if others may be uncomfortable with that approach.
• 🎯 They advise students to be realistic but assertive in their approach, emphasizing the importance of confidence in negotiation and standing up for their rights.
• 📈 There is a discussion about the dual pandemic of COVID-19 and racism, and how these crises have significantly impacted students' social, emotional, and academic development.
• 💬 The speaker is concerned about how social-emotional learning is integrated into academic development, warning against using it as a tool to 'fix' students, especially Black students and students of color.
• 🏫 The speaker calls for schools to be more accountable for the issues within the education system and to actively address problems rather than letting them sit unresolved.
• 🔍 Accountability systems, especially those that highlight inequities, are seen as crucial for creating positive changes within the educational landscape.
• ⚖️ There's a concern that the disruptions caused by the pandemic might lead to rolling back important accountability systems, which could leave inequities unaddressed.
• 📚 The speaker touches on disparities in advanced coursework, particularly how Black and Latino students, though qualified, are often not enrolled in such courses, pointing to systemic inequities.

Q & A

How does the speaker describe their approach to self-advocacy?

The speaker describes their approach to self-advocacy as assertive, often advising others to take direct action when they face issues. They mention being loud and persistent when advocating for their rights and encourage others to do the same, even if it's uncomfortable.

What advice does the speaker give to students facing difficulties with professors or staff?

The speaker advises students to take their issues to their disability counselor and, if necessary, escalate the matter to higher authorities within the college. They emphasize persistence and continuing to advocate until the issue is resolved.

What is the speaker's perspective on the challenges of advocacy for students?

The speaker acknowledges that advocating for oneself or others is not an easy fix and requires persistence. They stress that while the process might take time, staying committed will eventually lead to change.

How does the speaker help other students feel empowered?

The speaker helps other students feel empowered by encouraging them to negotiate and advocate for what they deserve, such as fair treatment or appropriate salaries. They aim to build confidence in students, reinforcing that it's okay to ask for what they're entitled to.

How does the speaker address the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism?

The speaker emphasizes the need for accountability in schools and the education system, especially in addressing the impact of both the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism. They believe that acknowledging these issues is the first step toward improvement.

What does the speaker suggest is essential for improving the education system?

The speaker suggests that accountability is crucial for improving the education system. They argue that issues must be acknowledged and addressed, rather than ignored, to prevent the system from failing students.

How does the speaker connect social and emotional learning with academic development?

The speaker highlights that social and emotional learning should not be treated as separate from academic development. They stress that both must be addressed together, especially in the context of trauma experienced by students due to the dual pandemics.

What concerns does the speaker raise about potential setbacks in education post-pandemic?

The speaker expresses concern that, due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, there may be a tendency to abandon accountability systems and other efforts aimed at addressing inequities. They believe it's important to maintain these systems to track student progress and address disparities.

What role does the speaker see for accountability systems in addressing educational inequities?

The speaker believes accountability systems are essential for identifying and addressing inequities in education. They see these systems as a way to highlight areas that need improvement and to ensure that issues of fairness and equal opportunity are addressed.

What does the speaker say about the enrollment of Black and Latino students in advanced coursework?

The speaker points out that Black and Latino students, even when qualified, are often not enrolled in advanced coursework. They highlight this as an issue of inequity that needs to be addressed in the education system.