When we think about setting goals for learning, we often focus on student outcomes. Though this remains true in our anti-bias/anti-racist (ABAR) work, it is also true that we must set goals for our own learning and growth. Living in an unjust society means that we must actively reflect, reconsider and re-learn about ourselves and others; as well as our complex intersectional social identities and our collective histories. From there we can then set classroom practice goals and student learning goals. Using the Anti-Bias Education Framework – divided into the four domains of Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action – can serve to guide us in this process. (Derman-Sparks, Edwards and Goins, 2020)
Adult Development Goals
Growing as an anti-bias/anti-racist educator includes introspection, self-reflection and a commitment to ongoing learning. Working with the following adult development goals serves to deepen our relationships, collaborations, cultural relevance, critical pedagogy, and activism.
- IDENTITY – Educators will increase awareness and understanding of our own individual and social identities and our own cultural contexts, both in childhood and currently.
- DIVERSITY – Educators will examine what we have personally learned about differences, connection, and what we enjoy or fear across lines of human diversity.
- JUSTICE – Educators will identify how we have been advantaged or disadvantaged by the “-isms” and the stereotypes or prejudices we have absorbed about ourselves and others.
- ACTION – Educators will explore our ideas, feelings, and experiences of social justice activism; open up dialogue with colleagues and families about all these goals; and develop the courage and commitment to be a voice for children.
Classroom Practice Goals
Our classroom practice and curriculum development must be rooted in a clear vision to support all children to become their fullest selves, become culturally-aware people, to develop a full sense of fairness and justice, and to seek equity and access for everyone. Our commit to reaching this vision means:
- IDENTITY – Educators will nurture each child’s construction of knowledgeable and confident personal and social identities.
- DIVERSITY – Educators will promote each child’s comfortable, empathetic interactions with people from diverse backgrounds.
- JUSTICE – Educators will foster each child’s ability to identify unfairness and bias and will nurture each child’s empathy for the hurt bias causes.
- ACTION – Educators will cultivate each child’s ability and confidence to stand up for oneself and others.
Finally, with our own goals and growth underway, we can use the following student goals and learning outcomes to guide our decision making, curriculum development, and daily choices toward make learning environments more just, equitable and safe for all learners.