Challenging Racism EDU 442 Bridgette Yaxley Megan Saunders Erin Frye

Professional Development Seminar Overview Goals: The program will address multiculturalism in academia, racism, diversity, equity, tolerance, activities, personal reflection, sharing, inspirational guests, outreach, and hopefully growth in the community. Audience: Required program for teacher certification as well as encouraged for parents of students. Setting: Auditorium; seats with desks Potential Challenges: Lobbying the B.O.E. Resistance from tenured/older teachers who are uninterested Resistance from some families to attend Anyone who may feel targeted as feeling racist as they work through the seminar (teacher, parent, administrator)

Professional Development Seminar 3 hours. Separate for teachers and parents Purpose is not to immediately change their opinions but get them thinking about the societal construct of race and how it is affecting students in schools A questionnaire will be handed out, asking questions about racist tendencies, giving all participants the opportunity to self-reflect Guest Speakers: -Using powerful stories and research, will bring awareness to the existence of racism in schools A representative from the Metro-Justice in Rochester organization. These activists concern themselves with issues plaguing the black community, and were formerly called “Friends of FIGHT” Pastor Judy Hay of the Calvory St. Andrews Presbytery Church has worked in communities to overcome divisions relating to race, mental health and sexual orientation in the South Wedge neighborhood. Jane Elliot- educator from Iowa -Q & A Session, as well as 2 forums set up online allowing parents and teachers to voice their concerns or stories

Why Teachers? -In classrooms, sometimes unconscious stereotyping of minority students, based on social constructs and previous held beliefs about their family life, rather than realizing it is a failure on the school or teacher's part - can lead to low expectations and low achievement of minority students overrepresentation of minority students in special education - can be an example for other students to follow - children can't solely learn beliefs from their parents; are in school longer than they are at home, so it is a teacher's responsibility to be a good role model (could have completely different beliefs at home) - strive for social justice, beginning with education

Jane Elliot -believed that racism is taught, and wanted students to realize how terrible it is- Blue eyed vs. Brown eyed -attempts to teach students about discrimination but leaves out parents Jane Elliot's Class (Blue-eyed vs. Brown Eyed) 2:44-4:30

Why Parents? Why Lecture Parents on Racism?              [Sleeter - "tenacious resistance"] Reasons for this "tenacious resistance"       1. Effective brainwashing has already occurred       2. Students are dependent on racist families for shelter, food, clothing who contradict the diverse messages they hear in school.       3. Fearful of embracing diversity and the consequences from peers and family. Consequences of embracing diversity for these students:         Targeted, beaten, shunned, ridiculed, and potentially categorized for life along with whom friends and family literally hate. I.E. > Learning about M.L.K. the Civil Rights Movement in school versus returning home to a parent who narrates the nightly news over dinner in the most ethnically disparaging manner. Obviously, this racist behavior is counterproductive to our society and passes on unhealthy stereotypes.

Supporting Programs and Workshops on Antiracism and Multicultural Education