Teaching for Justice and Belonging

Dr. Tehia Starker Glass is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Elementary Education, and former elementary school teacher who now works with teachers, schools, districts, and organizations around the country to revise their instruction and curriculum to be more anti-racism oriented. She is the co-founder of the Anti-Racism Graduate Certificate Program at UNC Charlotte, and educational advisor and education contributor with Brownicity. Dr. Lucretia Carter Berry is the Founder and President of Brownicity, an agency whose mission is to foster education designed to create a shared understanding of race/ism to inspire a culture of true belonging and justice for all.

• About the Authors ixAcknowledgments xiChapter 1 Welcome to Our Garden 1Dear Parents and Educators 2Before We Begin 3The Seed Growth Metaphor 10Tehia 12Lucretia 14Reflection and Practice 17Chapter 2 SOIL: The Groundwork 19Race 22Racism 23White Space 24Whiteness 25Racial Ignorance 25Microaggression 25Justice 26Belonging 27Antiracism 28Reflection and Practice 31Chapter 3 SEED: Self-Assessment 33How We Learn 34How We Grow 40How We Begin 45Reflection and Practice 46Chapter 4 ROOT: Build Racial Competency and Understanding 47Amy, White Mom of Five 47How to Become Rooted 58Becoming Rooted Together 61For Parents and Educators of Color to Consider 62For White Parents and Teachers to Consider 65Reflection and Practice 67Chapter 5 SPROUT: Early Growth and Signs of Hope 69How to Sprout 78Reflection and Practice 80Chapter 6 BUD: See and Celebrate Growth 83How We Started with the Staff 88How We Started with the Students 90Seeing and Celebrating Growth 95How to Bud 100Reflection and Practice 101Chapter 7 WEED: Uproot Growth Inhibitors 103Susan, Latinx High School Teacher 103Extraction 105Perfection 107Isolation 107Denying the Dignity of Others 109Fear of Discomfort 110Lack of Fortitude 111Lack of Self-Care 112Punishing Ideological Differences 113Imbalanced Teaching 113Valuing Ideology over Empathy 115Ignoring How Children Experience Race/ism 115Bystander 116Not Noticing and Confronting White Supremacy Norms 117White Tears 118Thinking We’re Done 119Reflection and Practice 120Chapter 8 BLOOM: Mature into a New Normal 121Tiffany, White Mom of Four 122As Teachers Bloom 125As Teacher Leaders Bloom 133As Parents Bloom 135The New Normal 138Reflection and Practice 140Conclusion 143Appendix A: KWLH Chart to Explore Your Knowledge Base 147Appendix B: Self-Care Plan 149Appendix C: Not Judging a Book by Its Cover: Social Justice Book Rubric 151Appendix D: Tatum Book Small Group Study Guide 155Appendix E: Content Analysis Chart 161References 163Resources 169Index 175