We can’t do this work alone. And I’ve recognized that if I’m not “the” teacher that connects with a student, I know that there will be one for them along the way. I don’t want to be “the one” anyway — truly. I want all of us to provide each child we teach and in our care to be respected, model self-respect, and supported. And just like children need different supports, so do adults. How one colleague begins their anti-racism work and their place on the journey toward an equitable, just society may look different for each of us. This is Part 1 of some of the educators who’ve influenced, inspired, and become an integral part of my community.

Here are some of the educators doing this work, and they can help you on your journey:

Jess Lifshitz approaches anti-racism work with humility and great love. And don’t be fooled; she is a powerful and amazing educator.

https://crawlingoutoftheclassroom.wordpress.com/2020/06/03/beyond-the-statements-doing-the-work-to-create-more-anti-racist-school-districts/

John Spencer has been a friend of mine for years. I trust his voice and his work.

Tom Rademacher is direct, no-nonsense and will help you with direct, honest conversation about anti-racism work. I cannot recommend his book, It Won’t Be Easy, enough.

Any progress I’ve made towards anti-racism has been because of Black, Indigenous, and POC work and scholarship. I do my best to cite and amplify those voices that have been meaningful to me, but could be better.

Anyway, this thread is especially good. https://t.co/1wJWxYYjnQ

— Tom Rademacher (@MrTomRad) June 16, 2020

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Mrs. LaQuisha Hall — it would be a challenge to find an educator as generous as she.

He walked up to my desk at the end of class, looked at me and said, Mrs. Hall, you are truly one of the best teachers I’ve ever had.” I was in awe… just out of nowhere. I told him I wished I had captured that. He said, “I’ll say it again because I mean it.” 😢 #mrshallscholars pic.twitter.com/qzkMjuNb7c

— Mrs. Hall (@MrsHallScholars) March 29, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js