anti-racist Classroom resources
Educators
Teachers…
1. Nurture Black children. Every child that steps into your learning environment is someone’s child. Full of hopes and dreams. Nurture and encourage the passions and strengths of Black children, help them to reach their full potential. Remember, this is your calling.
2. Learn about the Black experience. Incorporate Black stories and accomplishments into your lessons whether you teach Black children or not. DO NOT wait until Black History Month. The Black experience can be taught ANY day of the year. It is in math, science, technology; it is all around us. The world needs to know of our greatness.
3. Set high expectations for Black Children. Give them the marks they earn, and give them the same leeway or second chances you would give other children. Keep in mind the barriers they face living in Black skin, but also remember the legacy of achievement, accomplishment and intelligence. Act as a bridge, not a barrier.
4. Believe Black children. Protect Black Children, respect them and their experiences without judgment or comparison. Defend Black children when you hear remarks, gossip or comments in the staffroom.
5. See Black children. See them when their hands go up in the classroom, see their strengths and childhood curiosity. Build them up and affirm them.
6. Listen to Black children. Evaluate the “safety” of your learning space. Create brave spaces where Black children can freely share their opinions and can be vulnerable in their inquiry without scrutiny.
7. Be a champion for Black Children. Get excited about their learning and growth. Celebrate their accomplishments. Provide them opportunities to be successful in all areas of education.In order to change the education system, we need the help of educators who care about anti-racist teaching and learning.
We have built a variety of resources for teachers of all grades who are committed to creating classrooms that support Black students.
Thank you for the work you do.
TEACHER RESOURCES
Parents of Black Children Booklist
Now more than ever, we need diverse books. Parents of Black Children has compiled this list of recommended books for all ages, kindergarten through adult. All books listed here are written by Black...
#BlackedOutHistory
What does it mean to be erased? In October of 2020, the Ontario Black History Society went through an entire 266 page history textbook and blacked out all of the non-Black history. Only 13 pages...
28 Moments of Black History
Think back to your own days in school. Did you ever learn about Black history? Did you ever learn about someone OTHER than Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, or Viola Desmond? UNILEARNAL is working...
Decolonising the Math and Science Classroom
Black history is about more than just the civil rights movement. It is also about the contributions of Black people and societies to culture, academia, and thought. One site of constant...
Tips for Parents – Navigating Parent/Teacher Interviews
We know that Black parents have a strong history and legacy of engagement, advocacy and support for their kids. Progress reports and report cards often align with parent/teacher interviews, which...
The Problem With Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL)
We need to talk about socio-emotional learning (SEL). SEL is supposed to be about teaching students how to manage their emotions, persevere, and how to have healthy emotional lives. Sounds pretty...
Anti-Black Racism Reading List for Teachers
To successfully teach about Black history, race and racism, and Black experiences, it is critical to first educate yourself. Here are 5 of our top recommendations for books to start your learning...
Teaching & Learning Black History
Black history belongs outside of the month of February. Black voices, experiences, histories, and futures deserve to be a part of the every day classroom. However, few teachers explored Black...
A Simple Request: The Rights of the Black Child
Black children have a right to a peaceful education, free from racism and discrimination. So, we have a simple request. Respect our rights Sstop policing me in school. Let me be a child. Let me make...
Teacher as Ally
As a teacher in our public education system, you have more power than you know. Learn more about how you can support the work of Parents of Black Children.