"Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we're all created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart. The battle is perennial and victory is never assured."
President Joe Biden, 1/20/2021
Dear colleagues,
In her Inauguration poem, Amanda Gorman recites a path for everyone to come together, “…we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”
The racial disparities we had in MCPS prior to COVID-19 have only grown through distance learning. We know that MCPS staff cannot work any harder. Nonetheless, we believe together we can make 2021 better for all our students if we apply an equity lens to all our work.
We are often asked what it means to have an equity lens. At its core, an equity lens means that you are consistently asking yourself how race, ethnicity, and culture impact your interactions, decisions, practices, or policies. The videos, stories, and resources below are meant to help all of us keep equity at the forefront. Click here for additional questions that you can use to ensure you are working with an equity lens.
We have been buoyed by the amazing work and strength of our MCPS colleagues, students, and their families, and look forward to our continued collaboration. As you read though this newsletter, please take a minute to give us your feedback so we can get a better understanding of what is useful to you.
Sincerely,
Troy, Daryl, Deanna, Edvin, Ericka, Joan, Maniya, Marya, and John
The Counter Story
One way to fight back negative images of people of color is to be intentional about highlighting stories that tell the full truth and complexity of a group of people. These are called Counterstories.
Starting this month, EquityMatters! will include a regular section called The Counter Story that feature the voices of our students, families and staff who are often marginalized in the media, curriculum, and our classrooms. Counterstories help us to interrupt our explicit and implicit bias.
We start this month with two short videos from a recent forum with MCPS Latino middle and high school students that was sponsored by PODER Educators and the Equity Initatives Unit.
These videos are good activators for staff or planning meetings. As you listen to the students, think about your reactions:
- How are the students' responses making you feel?
- What questions are coming up?
- How do the responses confirm or challenge your beliefs?
- Are there practices at your school or office that need to change?
What is your superpower?
How do you respond when someone says that Latino parents don't care about education?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Listen to MCPS Voices
In October, 2020, we asked some of our MCPS colleagues and students to share their reflections for Hispanic Heritage month. We receieved a powerful collection of videos done at kitchen tables, a poem, a racial biography, and an original song. Please click on MCPS Voices to hear more counterstories.
Upcoming Events
Are you interested in hearing more? Join us for two very special events on January 27 and 28, 2021.
- Black Student Voices: January 27, 2021 at 6:30pm
- Latinx Educators: January 28, 2021 at 6:30 pm
Antiracist Audit
"Every System is Perfectly Designed for the Outcomes it Gets"
W. Edwards Demming
President Biden said, "The dream of justice for all will be deferred no more." MCPS has had racial barriers since it was created as a segregated school district. If we are truly going to make MCPS an antiracist district, we need to understand all the ways institutional racism is built into every part of our educational system.
While many schools and departments are doing important equity work, the Antiracist Audit will take a detailed look across the district so that we can get a comprehensive understanding of the policies and practices that need to be addressed.
Watch the video and get more information on the Antiracist Audit website. Then, review the self-paced, online module to better understand what it means to be antiracist.
Equity Journey
We are all at different places on our journey to be culturally proficient and antiracist. Each month we will highlight MCPS colleagues on their equity journey, how they got started, and how they overcome challenges.
Meet the following equity warriors:
- Michael Lewis, Supervisor of Safety and Training for the Department of Transportation
- Kristine Donnohue and Nadya Briggs, the principal and assistant principal from Cannon Road Elementary School
- Christy Welsh and Nickie Wallace, the co-leads of the Consulting Teaching Team
In this audio file, Michael Lewis talks profoundly about the need for non school-based staff to be engaged in the work of equity. "As a school system, we often think exclusively of the classroom...And while that’s important, it’s my job in transportation to help guide and engage our non-school based staff in other urgent work...One of the most important and ongoing elements of our school system’s work is equity."
Resources and Online Modules for Teams and Individuals
We can't solve today's problems with yesterday's meetings
We can talk about race. We can help staff, students, and families talk together about our most contentious issues. We can organize and run productive meetings that meet today's vital needs. We just need to be intentional and slow down to learn the necessary equity skills.
Below are modules that provide the skills and practice needed to address complex equity problems. The modules are designed to be self-paced or done as a team. Participants can recieve PDO credit.
- Elevate the Discourse
- How to Talk About Race
- Planning Effective and Culturally Responsive Meetings
Each month, Equity Initiatives Instructional Specialist, Dr. Joan Mory, will provide new, specific resources (articles, strategies, videos, techniques, activators, etc.) that can be used at meetings, in planning, and in the classroom, home or community. They will address different themes associated with teaching, learning and leading.
The inspiration for this month’s focus comes from the 2021 Inaugural National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman. We will focus on how to talk to students about race- in our classrooms, at home, and in our communities.
Elevate the Discourse
Black History Month
Go beyond trauma and struggle to examine the liberation, civic engagement, creativity and intersecting identities of Black people during Black History Month.
Teaching Tolerance. 2020
Black History Month begins on February 1, and Teaching Tolerance says, "Black History Month should serve as an exhilarating time to fill in the gaps left by textbooks and state curriculum standards. It should also inspire teachers to continue this education beyond February, teaching black and non-black students how they can affirm the existence and humanity of black lives year-round."
The world was captivated by the words and message that rang through with Amanda Gorman’s poem at the Inauguration. As educators we hold the power to foster the development and light for our future poets and leaders.
Below are resources for all ages. Please share with us what you are doing.
Black Lives Matter at School is a national coalition organizing for racial justice in education. Click the button to learn more.
More Resources
The Equity Initiatives Unit has many resources for learning, training, and dialogue.
Equity Padlet
Haven't found what you're looking for? Check out our Equity Resources Padlet. It's a live site that continues to be updated.
Equity Lending Library
The Equity Initatives Unit is excited to announce its new Professional Development Collection. This is a lending library for you to borrow books to support your equity journey. Just click on the link below and then hit borrow.
Culturally Responsive Parent Engagement
We need families as partners more today than ever. Click here for the Equity Initiatives Unit's familiy engagement resources.
EquityMatters
Look through past editions of EquityMatters!
- Elevate the Discourse (November 2020)
- Voices from MCPS on Hispanic Heritage Month (September, 2020)
- The Leadership Issue (July, 2020)
- LGBTQ+ in MCPS (June, 2020)
- An Educator's Guide to This Moment (June, 2020)
- Cooking for Equity (May, 2020)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Feedback
Please take two minutes to give us your feedback on this newsletter and to let us know what kinds of resources you would like to see.
Credits:
"When We See Ourselves" Troy Boddy 2021 "4 Panels" Troy Boddy, 2021 "I am a Man" https://www.wknofm.org/post/i-am-man-photo-turns-50-and-its-story-continues-deepen#stream/0