Unit 7 - Activity 1: What if something goes wrong?

Overview:

Audio recording about race and bias in classrooms by NYT author - Jodi Picoult as she discusses her new book.

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Class directed activity:

What if something goes wrong in class? Responding to hate and bias.

A learner in your class made an inappropriate comment about a peer's reface, ethnicity, religion or gender. How would you address this situation? 

Specific answer to the specific question: Address it immediately, be firm but respectful in detailing how and why it is unacceptable to make those kinds of comments. Attempt to restore some level of dignity between the disputants. 

Less specific answer: I recall two students from a part of the world where a genocide had taken place between the two hostile ethnic groups with whom each identified. Somehow the two students were able to make it work! I think early counselling and explanation of classroom expectations were key. Additional ideas would be to consider seating arrangements, how students are placed together for pair/group work etc.

Also, I think more extreme situations like this can be preemptively addressed if we follow early student assessment principles. Conflicts in the world drive migrations of people from opposing sides and in this case each was starting their new life in Canada. Resource/support streams are narrow so the different "sides" will encounter one another. Early identification can present options for interviews, assessments, counselling, selecting/recommending different classrooms, different time of attendance during early settlement but avoidant behaviours can only last so long. I think there are opportunities here for educators to influence the politics of hate - I don't expect every atrocity will be forgotten or forgiven however, I do believe that through education we can influence for the better.  

As a more general practice - teachers can make early class announcements about expected classroom behaviours. Teachers can explain how shared ideas do not necessitate having to agree - but at least some work to understand how we've each come into our perspectives. Outright offence to student's dignities and blatant racism must be addressed immediately up to and including an invitation to leave the learning class.

Creating a culture of learning demands all teaching staff discuss and share this standard.

I found an exceptional article at the link below that emphasizes a culture among the administrative staff to actively monitor for small indicators of bias so that they do not become larger and more unmanageable. 

A Guide for Administrators, Counsellors, and Teachers - Responding to Hate and Bias at School