Reflections on the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action and the Vital Role ECE Anti Bias Group
By Lila Chafe
On the warm Wednesday evening of March 3, 2021, early childhood educators joined the DCAESJ Anti Bias ECE Working Group’s monthly meeting. As they logged on, participants shared memories from years of collective joy and action, preparing for the departure of the working group’s coordinator, Rosalie Reyes.
Before launching into the formal agenda, members caught up on upcoming toddler birthdays, cross-country moves, and new babies. Reyes led the group in a moment of silence for collective grief, acknowledging that as the anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown approached, we must keep space to mourn what was lost in life and in the classroom.
Affirming the importance of joy, Reyes led the group in online Scattergories. All participants unmuted to share their best vocabulary words starting with the letter R, and as the game concluded, the call lit up with smiles. Next, the group reflected on the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action and the Curriculum Fair. Using Padlet, Reyes encouraged participants to take a few minutes to reflect on their own practices and share with the group.
The conversation continued in breakout groups where the working group discussed that in addition to incorporating the Black Lives Matter Thirteen Principles in classroom lessons, teaching locally centered lessons can make classroom conversations relevant and engaging. In addition, social stories (such as this example about the principle of Restorative Justice) are powerful tools for student reflection, and using class photos can help students visualize themselves within the content.
Participants shared that when teaching younger students online, families are involved in an unprecedented way and therefore intergenerational approaches that honor family structure are all the more important. For those who taught virtually, the week did not feel as intentional and community-centered as it has been in previous years, but reflecting with the working group reminded participants that collective action, even virtually, is powerful.
As participants returned from breakout rooms, Reyes shared links and information to upcoming events, including a book launch for Our Skin: Our first conversation about race and group member Makai Kellogg speaking on Haymarket Book’s Black Lives Matter at School Early Childhood Panel.
Concluding the meeting with a heartfelt goodbye, Rosalie shared the most poignant memories of the DCAESJ, reflecting on two years of joy and purpose. From in person curriculum fairs to virtual workshops, the group has committed time and energy to creating radical curriculums for students across the D.C. area. As Rosalie shared their exciting new steps in life, participants expressed words of deep gratitude and encouragement and appreciation for their caring energy and commitment to justice.
Lila Chafe is a volunteer with Teaching for Change in the 2020-2021 school year while studying education at Barnard College.