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Topic: The Importance of Safety for Students
- Safety as a foundation for love, belonging, self-esteem, and learning engagement
- The positive impact of safety on students' learning and educational risks
- The power of belonging and feeling included in the learning environment
- The role of self-actualization in students' respect for themselves and their teacher
Topic: The Connection Between Safety and Assimilation
- Defining assimilation as acquiring the habits, attitudes, and mode of life of a dominant culture
- Criticizing the concept of an "embracing culture" in the definition of assimilation
- Historical examples, such as Native American boarding schools, that challenge the idea of assimilation as an embracing culture
- The challenges faced by marginalized individuals in fitting into a dominant culture's norms and expectations
Topic: The Pitfalls of Niceness in Education
- Niceness prioritizing the comfort of individuals with dominant identities
- The hinderance of progress towards dismantling inequity through niceness
- The avoidance of confronting red flags in achievement, behavior, and other data through niceness
- The disciplining of those who disrupt structures and dominant ideologies through niceness
Topic: Acts of Isms and Phobias
- Highlighting the harm caused by acts of racism, sexism, and homophobia
- Emphasizing the impact of these acts on individuals' well-being
- Challenging the notion of intent versus impact in instances of mistreatment
- The need to address and confront acts of isms and phobias
Topic: Deflections and Hindrances to Acceptance
- Explaining deflections as a means of avoiding responsibility and blame shifting
- The negative impact of deflections on acceptance and progress towards equality
- Identifying the need to acknowledge room for growth and improvement in addressing equity issues
- Exposing the limited effectiveness of superficial diversity and equity training without meaningful action for students
Topic: Moving Towards Proactivity and Belonging
- Advocating for proactive measures to ensure a sense of belonging for all students
- Highlighting the importance of supporting students' multiple identities and experiences
- Challenging reactionary responses and calling for meaningful action before issues arise
- Promoting acceptance, support, and inclusion as core values for every student
- Final thoughts and reflection on the importance of making all students feel accepted and included
Additional Resources
Watch The Art of Advocacy Show
Learn more about our Student Affinity Groups
20 Diversity Equity and Inclusion Activities
FREE AUDIO COURSE: Race, Advocacy, and Social Justice Studies
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- The Power of Preparation- Discover ways to develop a plan to address inequities in schools.
- The Power of Persuasion- Gain an understanding of the art of influence and create a sense of urgency towards change.
- The Power of Persistence- Recognize how to endure challenges as they may arise.
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Transform your school and your classroom with these best practices in equity
Leading Equity delivers an eye-opening and actionable discussion of how to transform a classroom or school into a more equitable place. Through explorations of ten concrete steps that you can take right now, Dr. Sheldon L. Eakins offers you the skills, resources, and concepts youā€™ll need to address common equity deficiencies in education.
