This past week, my students gave me the highest compliments any student can pay a teacher. They mentioned, over and over, that I care, that I create a safe space and that they feel seen and validated. Some even mentioned learning, which is also a good thing. But at the end of the day, if my students know that our classroom is a safe space for discussion; if they know they will not be judged and that all discussions will have room for dissenting opinions and mutual respect (which are not mutually exclusive), I have done the most important part of my job. And honestly, if my students feel seen and accepted, they will learn. 

When you hear about the big bad boogie man "Critical Race Theory", ignore the parts about Marxist theories (what is that again??) and revisionist historians and ask yourself if you know everything there is to know about our country's history. Ask yourself if there are stories you don't know, perspectives you haven't heard or contributions you never noticed. Ask yourself if someone in your class or on your campus has a story that is missing in our history books. Then ask yourself if science evolves and adjusts. Because if you believe the earth is round, without believing in 'revisionist science', then it's ok to evolve and learn more. Whether or not we like it, our past influences our present. It's why the doctor asks for a complete medical history. He wants to critically examine the way your past influences your health and well being. In that same way, we need to look critically at our thoughts around race and the way our past influences our wellbeing as a society. Join me Friday at 7c on YouTube, there's more to come. 

This episode is an intro to Critical Race Theory with an emphasis on socio-emotional learning. 

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