As educators, we want to do our jobs well. We want to be fair, we want to promote safe communities, and we want to support all our students in every aspect of their lives. Tools help you realize these goals that you already have.
Educators, even those with experience and compassion, may unconsciously negatively impact students in their classrooms. We believe that through consistent study and reflection, we can slowly address our own unconscious biases and make changes so we can better support the academic, social and emotional well-being of our students.
We want YOU to be part of a decentralized inquiry series to support educators to better explore their own biases and improve their own teaching practices.
This Reading and Inquiry Series provides a monthly set of tools for learning, introspection and having conversations about issues of racism in our university, classrooms and communities. We hope that through regular reflection and conversation, you can get better at recognizing and resisting your biases and the impact they have on your students and colleagues.
How do I sign-up?
To receive a calendar invitation, Zoom link, and access to the Canvas space, please fill out the Vermont State Colleges Building Anti-Racist Educators Sign-Up Form. Note – you only need to complete the form once for the year!
How do I attend?
Simply click on the Zoom link sent to your calendar, after signing up. Each month, you can expect to do some reading or watching in advance of the meeting, which usually takes about 15-30 minutes. Otherwise, come with an open heart and mind and willing to share your ideas, experiences, and insights.
When are the meetings?
The meetings for 2024-25 are as follows:
- Friday, September 13 from 12:00-1:30pm
- Friday, October 11 from 12:00-1:30pm
- Friday, November 8 from 12:00-1:30pm
- Friday, December 13 from 12:00-1:30pm
- Friday, February 14 from 12:00-1:30pm
- Friday, March 14 from 12:00-1:30pm
- Friday, April 11 from 12:00-1:30pm
- Friday, May 9 from 12:00-1:30pm
Note: Given the winter break, there is no gathering in January.
What are the norms of this community?
- Please approach this inquiry series as a learner.
- We encourage folks to offer each other support, feedback, and corrections. We invite you to meet potential discomfort with curiosity and openness rather than defensiveness.
- This inquiry series is designed to encourage the ongoing reflection on race in our teaching and in our schools.
- As people engaged in this work, it is important to maintain humility around the topic of race when in dialogue with our colleagues. We want to learn how to productively and collectively work toward equity in education and society.
- Keep the focus on RACISM.
- Please expect and accept non-closure. It is OK to “hang in uncertainty” and not rush to quick solutions.