Because families are so essential to creating systems of equity in schools educators must invite participation and be prepared to understand and address any concerns they have about our equity-focused schools and classrooms. In our most recent Afro.Scholar EdCollective Community Dialogue we discussed ways for teachers to actively call families into the work of creating equity-centered classrooms. Below are the tips we found to be useful in our efforts:
1. Communicate early and often
Be proactive in your communications with families at all times. In your newsletters or other regular communication with families be transparent about the equity topics you will be discussing. Be sure to anchor these topics to state standards and school curricula.
To get families involved in your classroom learning- provide them with resources to help them talk to their children.
Share samples of student learning throughout the unit.
2. Center emotional safety for students
Families want to know that their children’s spirits are safe in your hands. Have protocols or typical responses in place to respond to harm in the classroom. Keywords like “Pause” to slow down and unpack a comment or key protocols like community circles help create communal opportunities for safe critical reflection.
Communicate to families if a student is upset in class via phone or email. Let the parent know that you noticed their child, that you care about them, and that you will continue to create a safe space for them to grow and learn.
3. Seek to understand parental views
Ask families about their familiarity with social justice issues at the beginning of the year
Ask families about social justice topics they wish they’d learned more about in school
Respond to parents who have questions about the equity topics taught in your classroom by asking questions to better understand their concerns. A key question is, “What makes you uncomfortable about this topic?”
If parental concerns relate to the WHAT of teaching- highlight for them the standards and skills that are being taught throughout the unit
If parental concerns relate to HOW of teaching- highlight for them the instructional structures as well as the socio-emotional structures that have been established in the classroom to ensure student academic growth and emotional well-being.
What are your thoughts? How are you calling families into your equity-centered classrooms? Leave your comments below! Stay connected- Follow us at @afro.scholared and click the Join Us button at the top of the page to join Afro.Scholar EdCollective!
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