In this episode, we explore a dynamic definition of equity, and our discussion springboards from a collage of quotes from our colleagues. Join us as we build off our first episode about the artform of teaching and use an artful lens to get into the nitty-gritty of racial equity. The paradigm is shifting, balance is coming, and shame wants to stop us from the full embrace. We all have a unique part to play in dismantling white body supremacy in our society, and enter into the discussion of what that can look like for us as educators.
01:57-Clip from a colleague: Elias-“I think equity looks like adults out of the way at its best…student leaders making decisions around what their school can be for them…equity work at its core, when it’s really working, it’s responsive to what students are, and students are having that self determination around what direction they want things to go.”
03:20 link to artform of teaching episode
03:46- Jesse references knowledge of self is the 5th element of Hip Hop- self actualization.
04:35- Desmond: “The system incentivizes you to not be engaged, to try and figure out what’s the least amount of work I can do to get the top result versus how do I learn, how do I better myself and gain skills and confidence.”
05:48 Jesse - “One of our challenges as educators is to model bringing our genius in the classroom.”
06:16 Clip from a colleague- Daniel: “We make adjustments to our approach and curriculum …. Striving for equality…When it’s working well students are feeling empowered and energized and getting what they need.”
07:50- link to Ungrading episode coming soon
07:55 what is racial equity?
08:20- Jesse- “for equity to happen we need to approach teaching from a vantage point of the knowledge of white supremacy is happening and we’re steeped in it.”
08:30 Jesse and Des- explore the metaphor- guitar string needs tension to create beautiful music. We are invited to lean into the tension of creating equitable systems.
09:23 Invite teachers and students to understand systems. Desmond “we need to start recognizing and seeing as much of the system as we can.” Improving relationships between the parts of the system.
10:00- Exploring how we isolate ourselves as teachers. Our culture's emphasis on independence.
12:50- how can we serve the whole?
13:20- “doing what’s best for you and just thinking about the next class.” What percentage of the time are you in this mindset?
14:25- Jesse- self-actualizing isn’t in our justice b description but is the bedrock of teaching. link to how to self actualize
14:55 Des’s idea- teach who you are ————>teach who you want to be
16:35- Two BARS pause- guided meditation
18:43- Clip from a colleague: Ken- about equity being radical acceptance
20:20- Jesse- each of us has an invitation and part to play in healing the inequities
20:45 Des- radical acceptance- accepting each other at the core of who we are.
21:46- Desmond- radical acceptance is maintaining the human-to-human relationship. active listening
22:49 Jesse- part of the risk is to slow down and really listen- see ourselves, see our students, see our colleagues.
25:50- Desmond- “if you're used to going a 100mph and someone is asking you to stop. That’s some tension coming to that stop.”
26- Jesse- taking two BARS to take a pause to connect with the breath. Link to dynamic mindfulness training out of...
