"Why is it so Hard? Shining through the Shadow of Resistance” with Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Newman Leak

In this podcast episode, "Embracing Justice," Tonya and Erika discuss practical strategies for teachers to use in the classroom to help students and colleagues recognize and reject stereotypes and understand how unfairness exists at both individual and systemic levels. In addition, they offer insight into analyzing the harmful impact that bias, injustice, power, and privilege has had on the world.

This episode explores the justice strand of the Social Justice Standards at learningforjustice.org.

 How will you help your colleagues and students highlight justice and injustice in their community?

Connecting with and honoring others through difference is essential in our diverse world of people, ideas, and environments. 

In this podcast episode, "A World of Difference," Tonya and Erika discuss practical strategies for teachers to use in the classroom to help students and colleagues acknowledge and respect and highlight the differences that individuals bring with them. Discussing the diversity strand of the Social Justice Standards at learningforjustice.org, they share their insights into the importance of helping students develop the curiosity, language, and culture to understand the world more deeply and appreciate every individual's uniqueness.

What are some ways you do this in your classrooms or social environments?

Students must develop positive social identities that lead to belonging in their respective social identity groups.

In this episode, we discuss five of the 20 Social Justice Anchor Standards, which help individuals develop positive social identities based on their membership in different groups. The standards encourage acceptance of multiple identities, accurate language, recognition of complex individuals, confidence in one's identity while respecting others, and understanding different cultures.

A more vital self-awareness and appreciation for diversity can be achieved by embracing these standards. How will you apply these standards in your classroom?

About The DEI Back To School Edition, A 5-Part Series

As educators, we know that the back-to-school season can be both exciting and challenging. That's why we are excited to share with you the DEI Back To School Edition, a five-part series dedicated to helping you navigate some of the most pressing issues in education today.

Over the course of this series, we'll discuss topics like managing the cultural mismatch, addressing identity crises in the classroom, recognizing and celebrating a world of difference, embracing justice, and taking action to create a more inclusive learning environment.

Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, we hope you'll find this series to be a valuable resource as you work to create a safe, welcoming, and empowering learning environment for all of your students.

With over 80% of teachers in our country being White and over 50% of students being students of color, how can teachers best address the cultural mismatch that can exist with students?

In this podcast episode "Managing The Cultural Mismatch," Tonya and Erika discuss practical strategies for teachers to use in the classroom where there may be a cultural mismatch between them and their students.

Some strategies include a willingness to confront biases, engage students in open dialogue, and understand cultural reference points. They can create an inclusive environment by using varied instructional styles, building strong relationships, and embracing a collectivist approach. By doing so, schools and classrooms can be genuinely welcoming for all.

About The DEI Back To School Edition, A 5-Part Series

As educators, we know that the back-to-school season can be both exciting and challenging. That's why we are excited to share with you the DEI Back To School Edition, a five-part series dedicated to helping you navigate some of the most pressing issues in education today.

Over the course of this series, we'll discuss topics like managing the cultural mismatch, addressing identity crises in the classroom, recognizing and celebrating a world of difference, embracing justice, and taking action to create a more inclusive learning environment.

Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, we hope you'll find this series to be a valuable resource as you work to create a safe, welcoming, and empowering learning environment for all of your students.

In this episode, Tonya and Erika discuss why promoting diversity in leadership positions is important.

Diversity in leadership is crucial for creating a fair and inclusive workplace. When people from different backgrounds and experiences are represented at all levels of an organization, it can lead to more creativity, innovation, and better decision-making.

It's important for organizations and leaders to seek out and promote diversity in their teams actively and to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. By doing so, they can help to create a more equitable and successful workplace for all.

Does your workplace have a diverse leadership team, and if so, how has it impacted your workplace?

In this episode, Tonya and Erika continue discussing the advantages and disadvantages of privilege.

Is privilege not an honor? It's a question that often arises in discussions about meritocracy and diversity.

Some people believe that privilege is earned through hard work and success, while others argue that it is simply a result of one's race, gender, or social status. This debate often leads to discussions about white fragility and the ways in which those with privilege can become defensive when confronted with their own advantages. Ultimately, it is important to acknowledge and address privilege in order to create a more equitable society.

We would love to hear from YOU! Share with us how privilege impacted your educational and career path.

Is privilege not an honor? It's a question that often arises in discussions about meritocracy and diversity. In this episode, Tonya and Erika discuss the advantages and disadvantages of privilege.

Some people believe that privilege is earned through hard work and success, while others argue that it is simply a result of one's race, gender, or social status. This debate often leads to discussions about white fragility and the ways in which those with privilege can become defensive when confronted with their own advantages. Ultimately, it is important to acknowledge and address privilege in order to create a more equitable society.

What type of privilege has impacted your life?

In this episode, recorded one week before the recent Supreme Court decision, Tonya and Erika discuss whether affirmative action is a thing of the past. While there have been efforts to address systemic inequalities through affirmative action policies, unconscious bias and the model minority myth continue to perpetuate inequities in employment, education, and other spheres. 

Resources like diversity training and inclusive hiring practices can serve as another teacher to combat these biases. Changing the law is one way to make progress, but changing the culture is equally important to achieve true equity. It is up to all of us to recognize and challenge our own biases and work towards a more just and equitable society.

What are your thoughts on this topic and what should be done about affirmative action post Supreme Court decision? 

In this episode, Tonya and Erika discuss how it's important to remember that fighting racism is not a political issue but a human rights issue that affects everyone. 

It's essential for schools to actively fight against anti-black racism because it is a pervasive issue that affects the well-being and success of black students. However, some predominately white school districts, that are taking a stand against anti-black racism, are receiving pushback from a few vocal members of the community. By standing up against racism, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

How will you encourage others to push through the discrimination and fear so that we can create a better society for our children? Share your journey with us.

In this episode, Tonya and Erika discuss the power of storytelling and how it contributes to our understanding and empathy for others with different experiences.

When we listen to someone's story, we can better understand their perspective and challenges. This leads to greater empathy and appreciation for diversity. We should encourage each other to share our stories to build a more inclusive and compassionate society. 

How will you share your story with others? What is your DEI story?