Equity and Diversity Racial Equity PD

Please use this document for your note-taking

Spring 2021

How to use this slideshow:

• You can access your Department note-keeping document here.
• Work your way through the slideshow using 15-30 minutes of your department meeting.
• As you are discussing and respond to the questions on the slides, keep notes in the shared document. If you want to copy and paste from your department meeting minutes, you can, too.

How to use this slideshow, cont.

• We hope that you make it through the entire slideshow by the end of the semester.
• But, if you are short on time and need to prioritize, we suggest that you focus on (Click the Activity to go to those slides).
• Activity #1: Story-telling
• Activity #4: “Golden Keys” discussion
• Activity #6: White supremacy culture at Sequoia

Norms

• Equity of Voice.
• Stay engaged.
• Speak your truth. You can only speak what you know.
• Experience discomfort.
• Expect and accept non-closure.
• Open your heart and mind.
• Let’s make this department part of our “Brave Place”.

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JANUARY OBJECTIVES

1. Reflect on and share experiences, tying August 10th to December 2nd
2. Listen and share personal and professional experiences with our trusted colleagues.
3. Consider how our personal background influences our professional decisions.

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ACTIVITY #1 (ongoing)

Reflecting on and continuing Aug 10th storytelling

Some departments have already completed this.

Department Meeting Dates

*For larger departments, we suggest you have 3-4 people share per meeting until the entire department has shared.

*Dept. will need a timekeeper: 5 minutes per person.

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Share your story & listen...

• How did your racial identity (intersected with your other identities) affect your own experiences with school and education?
• As a student, what spaces or experiences were particularly nurturing or empowering?
• As a student, what spaces or experiences were particularly harmful?

Reflection

• What assumptions did you have that were challenged?
• What surprised you?
• What reaffirmed you?

Please leave notes on your Department’s ongoing Google Doc

Activity #2 (we recommend completing along with #3)

Abolitionist Teaching and the Future of Our Schools

Watch and Reflect: Abolitionist Teaching and the Future of Our Schools

Reactions and reflections:

• What sticks out?
• What do you agree with?
• What do you struggle with?

Activity #3 (we recommend completing with #2)

Abolitionist Teaching and the Future of Our Schools

Watch and Reflect: Abolitionist Teaching and the Future of Our Schools

WATCH-THINK-DISCUSS:

• What do you want to hold onto from before coronavirus, and what do you want to change given new opportunities now?
• During this time of transition, what should we consider changing? Getting rid of?

WATCH-THINK-DISCUSS

• What do you want to hold onto from before coronavirus, and what do you want to change given new opportunities now?
• During this time of transition, what should we consider changing? Getting rid of?
• Please document this in your Department Note-taking Document.

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Activity #4

KEYS DISCUSSION

An extenuation from December 2nd’s PD with Circle Up (link to their shared presentation for a refresher)

PRE-DISCUSSION: THE GOLDEN KEYS

First, take a moment to read these questions and a few minutes to think and/or jot down responses to guide our discussion.

1. Do I create systems, rules, and policies?
2. Do I act as a barrier to change? How?
3. Do I maintain or enforce policies or procedures (because they have “always been done that way”)?
4. Do I impact any of the racism in systems? If so, how? In what ways?
5. Do I hold others accountable when they do or say racist things?

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Golden Keys Discussion

1. What were some of your responses to the questions on the previous slide?
2. What are our keys in our classrooms?
3. Where can we provide access and “unlock” our classrooms?
4. What information or support do we in need in order to do this well?
5. What decisions can our department make/commit to in the new semester to provide more access?

Activity #5

White Supremacy in our School, pt. 1

Chinook Fund’s Winds of Change

“4 Is of Oppression”

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1. Read the article (linked above)
2. Discuss the ways that the “4 Is of Oppression” show up in your classroom, department, school, and/or decision making.

Document in your note-taking doc

Activity #6

White Supremacy in our School, pt. 2

WSC Discussion

1. Read over the characteristics of white supremacy culture.
2. Take a moment to think about ways that WSC culture appears in our practice, departments, policies, and culture at Sequoia. How does it influence what we consider “successful?”
3. Discuss. What is surprising to you? What is revealing? What is affirming?
4. Document your ideas and discussions in your note-taking document.

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ACTIVITY #7: SETTING GOALS FOR 2021-2022

What goals do you have for 2021-2022 school year?

• Take notes in your department note-taking document.
• Make note of the individual, department, and school-based goals.
• What do you hope to discuss more of or change?
• What trainings do you want to attend/feel like you need?
• What PD do you want to engage in around the work of equity and diversity?
• Don’t forget to celebrate all the positive things you are currently doing! What are policies/actions/discussions that you want to maintain?

Terms to better understand anti-black racism