Academic Excellence

We are at a point when we need to critically examine why anti-racist teaching is a crucial component of institutional and social change. How can White educators teach anti-racism if they are out of touch with the systemic racism and biases that Black children are so familiar with? The Village Method is here to provide answers and contribute to the quest for social justice.

 

Anti-racist teaching is an invaluable tool that can disrupt the widespread influence of white supremacy. By incorporating teaching practices centered around systemic racism and Social Emotional Learning, we might have a great chance to undo racism and racial trauma. If after-school programs could implement anti-racist pedagogy, so can schools.

 

However, we have a long way to go. Awareness and personal reflection are a must. Find out the 4 ways to promote anti-racist teaching in schools!

 

#1: Address White Privilege Right Away

Bursting the bubble of systemic racism in education is achievable. What we need to focus on is teaching and learning all there is to know about the color lines that continue to divide us. The average White student attends schools where 77% of the student body is of their race. The same cannot be said for Black or Hispanic students. 

 

An openly anti-racist educator must actively pursue the subject of race and equity work. Although they might not have direct experience of what it means to be subjected to systemic racism in education, they can surely learn from others. Racial and social justice are synonymous with a solid knowledge of minorities’ histories. Culturally affirming after-school programs are already starting to explore the richness of diverse cultures and traditions.

 

When we aim to address White privilege, we must first take a look at the history of segregation in education. The Brown v. Board of Education landmark decision came almost a hundred years after the end of the Civil War. Its main goal was to end racial segregation. It demanded that our children enjoyed equal educational opportunities. However, inequality in education remains an issue.

 

#2: Implement Critical Race Theory in Schools 

Anti-Critical Race Theory bills are slowing down the overall efforts of anti-racist teaching. Systemic racism in education is rampant. Furthermore, all institutions are unjust towards people of color. An anti-racist curriculum must include this valuable piece of information.

 

Professor and lawyer Derrick Bell is one of the central figures of the Critical Race Theory movement. He challenged the legal system and was motivated by the multitude of school desegregation cases he’d encountered throughout his career. His undeniable genius paved the way for the possibility of teaching Critical Race Theory in schools. 

 

We recommend that you read his 1980 article from the Harvard Law Review titled ‘Brown v. Board of Education and the Interest-Convergence Dilemma’. Sadly, you might find it extremely relevant and evocative of what our children are battling against right now. It suffices to say that the banning of Critical Race Theory in schools is unjust and meant to normalize systemic racism in education. 

 

#3: Teach African-American History Respectfully and Accurately

When was the last time our children were given some enlightening information about Frederick Douglass in History class? We would be surprised and pleased if that was the case. Most likely, our children are taught that Africans migrated to the U.S. which completely ruins our attempt at racial justice in the classroom.

An anti-racist teaching practice requires deep critical thinking. Students deserve to understand the significance of being taught the real version of events. Reading literature that points out the violations of our ancestors’ human rights will connect students and serve as an opportunity for classroom discussions.

 

The anti-racist approach hides nothing from our children’s sight. Instead, it nurtures them and enables them to consistently identify racial biases in their day-to-day experiences. This active process of self-awareness is ultimately empowering. 

 

From kindergarten to higher education, Social Emotional Learning and the teaching of our people’s achievements, not only their struggles, can motivate our children to revolutionize organizational structures as adults. The social construct is inescapable, and therefore it needs to be acknowledged.

 

#4: Make Use of the Social Emotional Learning Framework

The emotional toll of racism speaks volumes about the need for Social Emotional Learning in schools. Young people are overwhelmed by the constant systemic injustice that they are subjected to. Social Emotional Learning encourages self-reflection and teaches our youth how to improve their mental health and make use of soft skills in order to succeed at school and in their future careers.

 

Promote Anti-Racist Pedagogy Starting Today!

Our 4 ways of promoting anti-racist pedagogy will surely help parents, educators, and students navigate the ever-changing social and educational landscapes. Engaging students in anti-racist teaching is the optimal way to give a voice to minorities and fight systemic racism in education. White privilege is something that should never be taken lightly.

 

The Village Method is an active supporter of anti-racist teaching. We represent one of the few culturally empowering after-school programs that are currently available for our youth. If you resonate with our mission, make sure to get involved! It takes a village to raise a child! 

Our youth needs mental health support now more than ever. They would also benefit from self-management techniques and interpersonal skills. This way, positive outcomes and academic achievement will surely follow. Thankfully, Social and Emotional Learning is being implemented in both schools and after-school programs. The Village Method strongly supports such initiatives.

 

The prioritization of Social and Emotional Learning brings a newfound level of self-awareness to our children. By nurturing their emotional skills, we might have a definitive chance of closing the academic achievement gap. Soft skills are also crucial during one’s adult years. Why not plant the problem-solving seeds early on?

 

In this article, allow us to show you what Social and Emotional Learning stands for and how it can help us end the achievement gap and racial inequity in education. Read on to find out all you need to know!

 

What Is Social and Emotional Learning?

Social and Emotional Learning is a holistic practice that helps our youth thrive on both individual and collective levels. Among many other things, they will be in charge of their emotions and learn how to solve problems while maintaining a healthy attitude. Furthermore, they will learn how to build and maintain positive relationships with their peers.

 

For young people, self-control and social awareness can lead to great academic outcomes. The interpersonal skills that they assimilate throughout their K-12 years are invaluable. That is because brain development research has shown that adolescence is marked by a period of elasticity. This cognitive willingness that characterizes adolescence needs to be used for sustained growth. Therefore, Social-Emotional Learning skills are easy to inculcate. 

 

Behavioral issues are directly addressed through impulse control. As far as responsible decision-making is concerned, our children will be properly equipped with soft skills that prepare them for higher education and adulthood. Family engagement could also be the main catalyst for positive change in terms of behavior.

 

It’s obvious that Social-Emotional Learning tackles some of the core competencies that lead to our children’s well-being within the school environment. However, we still need to do more to empower young people. Culture-blind Social-Emotional Learning is an issue that we need to discuss.

 

Racial Equity and Social and Emotional Learning 

Although Social and Emotional Learning can revolutionize academic achievement and interpersonal relationships, it is sadly taught improperly. There are clear discrepancies between how White and Black children are taught Social and Emotional skills. Unfortunately, educators continue to associate our youth with a myriad of racial stereotypes. 

 

This leads to a sense of segregation and a broadening of the achievement gap. The very things that are supposed to be addressed by Social-Emotional Learning are in fact being perpetuated by a crass lack of cultural awareness. 

 

This can only sadden and worry us, as concerned parents and educators. Thankfully, culturally responsive after-school programs make use of the Social and Emotional Learning framework through various family engagement activities.

 

Until racial equity is established and our children are treated with respect and empathy, there is no sustainable way that teachers can encourage first-generation college students to pursue academic achievement. 

 

Firstly, the students’ necessities must be validated and acknowledged by school leaders. Positive behavior is all about how we manage our emotions. We believe that teachers should lead the way through the power of personal example. 

 

They need to become fully accustomed to the needs of minority students. They must make a conscious decision to promote cultural responsiveness within the Social-Emotional Learning framework.

 

To co-create thriving schools that lean on strong Social-Emotional skills, we also need to make use of the Critical Race Theory (CRT). Self-reflection needs to happen on both sides. Therefore, educators have a responsibility to be aware of certain racial biases that can harm the integrity of Social and Emotional Learning.

 

Let’s Close the Achievement Gap With Social and Emotional Learning 

As we’ve seen, the Social and Emotional Learning framework is one of the best methods of developing self-awareness. Our children are constantly battling belittlement, bullying, and racial bias. If the teachers perpetuate these things, Social-Emotional Learning becomes useless. As a consequence, first-generation college students will be less likely to get into the college of their dreams.

 

That is why we need to be focused on delivering high-quality Social and Emotional Learning to a variety of students. For that, we will need diversity among the teachers and a culturally respectful approach throughout the entire process. That way, first-generation college students will be positively impacted by this change of perspective. 

 

The Village Method is different from all other after-school programs. We have always been early adopters of Social and Emotional Learning. We believe that this particular framework can change our country’s perception of minority students, particularly those that are of African descent. 

 

Together, we can build strong villages of young scholars that thrive both socially and emotionally. However, we will need your help. We kindly ask you to get involved and help our cause in any way you can. Our children deserve to enjoy the limitless benefits of Social and Emotional Learning!

The counseling office has the power to provide our youth with professional assistance. This will enable them to get admitted into college and set informed career goals. High school counseling is in desperate need of improvement. The Village Method is determined to help  students, families, and counselors with this change.

 

Preparing young students for college starts with how well we promote academic excellence for all. It should go without saying that with the right resources and the optimal support, all children can flourish. It is a matter of educational equity that needs to be addressed right away.

 

In this article, let us show you everything you need to know about high school counseling. What should your expectations be when interacting with high school counseling programs? Read on to find out!

 

High School Counseling and the Achievement Gap

Most school counselors are prone to perceiving the world through its unfair color lines. 

 

Systemic racism gets in the way of educational equity and prevents many young people from achieving levels of optimal personal growth. 

 

Let us take a quick look at the facts. Black students are subject to harsher discipline than white students. This ends up hindering the learning process and prevents them from reaching the heights of academic excellence. The racial disparities that our children have to face while attending any given high school counseling program are impossible to ignore.

 

The mental health needs of Black students are rarely met. In order for everyone to achieve optimal personal growth, we need to focus on how we are going to close the achievement gap. Each school’s mission should be to come up with sustainable solutions that will enable our children to acquire positive social skills.

 

Culturally affirming community resources and unbiased, respectful high school counselors are needed now more than ever. 

 

According to the American School Counselor Association, school counselor education needs to be refined. The predominantly White high school counselors should at least use their many privileges and start advocating for the closing of the achievement gap.

 

We believe that every high school counseling team that truly embraces diversity should hire Black counselors. Educational equity starts here.

 

 

Why Black High School Counselors Are Essential

A respectful learning environment goes hand in hand with developing a comprehensive school counseling program for all. A career in school counseling is no walk in the park. It comes with many challenges and it requires active advocacy for educational equity.

 

High school counselors enhance the chances of academic excellence whenever they interact with our youth in a genuine and friendly manner. It is our belief that personal experience will always outweigh the advice given by authority figures.

 

Imagine how many of our young people would benefit from the frequent interaction with a high school counselor who stood where they stand now. Their mental health needs would be met. In addition, they would receive assistance with their college admissions, the financial aid application process, and have the rare opportunity to relate to an adult on a personal level.

 

Students begin to doubt their sets of social and emotional skills when systemic racism gets in the way. We need to assist students every step of the way if we want them to get into the colleges of their dreams. Actively addressing systemic racism is part of the counselors’ work.

 

The competitive job market and parental pressures can intimidate even the brightest students. The K-12 curriculum should promote Black success stories, family engagement activities, and give senior year students a chance to connect with adults they can identify with.

 

The power of personal example can instantly enable a child’s full academic potential.

 

Counteracting the Performance and Achievement Gap

The COVID-19 pandemic brought forth a painful statistic ━ the college enrollment dip affected students of color the hardest. This could have been easily prevented by embracing diversity. 

 

Every school counselor is responsible for overseeing the progress that our youth is making. Culturally affirming family engagement activities done throughout the K-12 years can lead to student success and therefore to academic excellence.

 

The achievement gap is not going anywhere unless we join forces and decide to provide our children with qualitative high school counseling. The damaging effects of systemic racism and the skewed perceptions fueled by countless stereotypes and biases must stop being perpetuated.

 

Let’s Make High School Counseling Culturally Affirming

This should be the common goal. By disregarding and belittling the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and educational equity, we will continue to run into the same obstacles. 

 

In order for college applications to be submitted confidently, we must prioritize the mental health and skill development of our young ones.

 

The Village Method believes that it takes a village to raise a child. Our ancestral African culture, values, and way of living deserve their rightful recognition  Get involved now and help us nurture our youth, from their K-12 years all the way to college, and beyond!

The world will never be the same again, including our education systems. The pandemic and education crisis brought forth an unexpected shift when remote learning became the norm. It is important to point out that the existing inequities were only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Village Method is here to acknowledge the learning losses and offer a voice to all vulnerable students.

Although school closures were seen as highly effective in early 2020, they showcased just how prevalent systemic racism is and how impactful it continues to be in regard to student learning. The pandemic and education crises were deeply interconnected throughout the past years. They both managed to play the role of the catalyst, affecting student outcomes and the way we perceive academic achievement.

In this article, we’ll take you through some of the main lessons we’ve learned by watching the complex dynamic between the pandemic and education. Read on and find out more!

 

The Pandemic and Education: Revealing Systemic Racism

As education systems were taken by surprise throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing struggle of the minorities was finally acknowledged. As school closures rose, disadvantaged students became the direct targets of systemic racism. 

7.7 million Black students experienced a continuous struggle with their mental health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Although segregation was proclaimed as illegal, it is still a covert part of daily life throughout many school districts. 

The historic failures of education systems across the country have shaped school communities and the way we approach formal education. The fact that schools shut and online learning became mandatory did not help either.

Research shows that the modernization of the curriculum and teaching the truth is of critical importance and could very well counteract the damaging effects of remote education. Our children’s academic performance relies on how well we manage to convey to them the truth about their African roots and ancestry. An entire generation could benefit from the pandemic and education crisis.

History cannot be erased, only censored for a limited amount of time. If systemic racism was experienced during in-person education, it is safe to say that it galloped forward during the age of online education. 

A safe solution to directly address systemic racism and boost academic learning? Let’s talk about family engagement activities. 

 

The Pandemic and Education: The Rise of Family Engagement Activities

As online learning platforms’ popularity continued to grow, the education system experienced a worsening of inequalities. Low-income students were deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their school year was heavily disrupted and their learning outcomes were deeply affected.

Unfinished learning exacerbated historical inequities for Black students. This comes as no surprise. However, families decided to take matters into their own hands and make the most of digital learning. With the help of culturally affirming after-school programs, they managed to do the unthinkable ━ bridge the gap between home and school.

The so-called ‘new normal’ was efficiently addressed with the help of liberatory, empowering family engagement activities. The parents’ expertise when it comes to their children’s learning loss and achievement gaps should have never been ignored or pushed to the side.

Education systems fail to address the disparities in student performance. The equitable practice of family engagement activities and affirming after-school programs addresses systemic racism while making up for each school day that was sadly lost. 

Parents’ cultural capital is priceless. Our youth requires a different, more empowering approach. The African history, culture, and way of living have been silenced for centuries. The pandemic and education dynamic, as well as school closures, marked the rise of family engagement as a tool for the dismantling of education inequities. After-school programs played a crucial part when it came to promoting such liberatory activities.

 

The Pandemic and Education: Reimagining Education Systems

School closures and after-school programs offered us a glimpse into what needs to stay as it is and what must be changed. One thing is for certain ━ our children deserve a better curriculum. 

The educational systems that are currently in place have a responsibility to stand up against longstanding systemic racism and empower our youth once and for all.

How? By introducing them to family engagement activities, recommending relevant literature that addresses social injustice, teaching them about the real history of their ancestors, and familiarizing them with African traditions, wisdom, and way of living. These are only a few of the ways through which we can completely reimagine and revolutionize the old way of educating our children.

The mental and emotional well-being of our young ones depends on how efficient we are when it comes to assimilating the changes brought forth by the pandemic. It is time for a change that will impact student progress and shift education statistics in our children’s favor.

 

The Pandemic and Education Crisis: A Time to Shift Perspectives

As we’ve seen, every crisis brings suffering and social unrest. However, such a shock can also shed light on longstanding issues. From systemic racism to the importance of family engagement activities, the pandemic and its inevitable school closures showed us what needs to be done in order for the educational systems to become far more equitable.

The Village Method is here to support this ongoing change and highlight its importance. Only together can we build a more sustainable, equitable future for our children. You can get involved today!