Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
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The revolutionary act of teaching Black children superbly
By Sharif El-Mekki
Categories: Career pathways, Equity, Learning communities, OutcomesJune 2021
James Baldwin, in his “Talk to Teachers,” describes effective teaching as a revolutionary act. At the Center for Black Educator Development, the organization I founded and lead, we have doubled down and built on Baldwin’s iconic description. We believe that to teach Black children superbly is a revolutionary act. In service of that goal, we prepare educators to instill in Black children a positive sense of their own racial identity and, in so doing, equip them with the literacy, numeracy, and myriad social-emotional skills they will need to be lifelong leaders and activists in the revolutionary work of advancing equity in all its forms. We believe that increasing teacher diversity is the essential lever for building a more just and high-quality public education system. This
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References
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El-Mekki, S. (2019, September 24). Who is preparing teachers for our students? Who is teaching the teachers? Philly’s 7th Ward. phillys7thward.org/2019/09/who-is-preparing-phillys-teachers-for-phillys-classrooms/
El-Mekki, S. (2021, April 6). Far too many educators aren’t prepared to teach Black and Brown students. Education Week. www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-far-too-many-educators-arent-prepared-to-teach-black-and-brown-students/2021/04
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Sharif El-Mekki (sharif.el-mekki@TheCenterBlackEDorg.onmicrosoft.com) is the founder and chief executive officer of the Center for Black Educator Development.
Categories: Career pathways, Equity, Learning communities, Outcomes
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