Antiracist Praxis Study Circle Facilitator Guide

Author: Cydnee Sanders, MA TESOL, Hamline University

Publication date: February 2022

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Study Circle Description

Many of us have heard the terms antiracist and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), but how do we actually implement these large frameworks into our adult English classrooms? This study circle goes beyond defining antiracism and explores how the research around Translanguaging by Ofelia García (2017) and Culturally Responsive Teaching by Zaretta Hammond (2015) provides us with tools to change the way we approach teaching.

The study circle is not intended to be a basic “what is racism” professional development activity, so we have some working assumptions and hope those interested in joining can agree to start with these foundational beliefs:

• Racism is systemic. White supremacy and systemic racism are leading problems in our education system. These systems are especially harmful to people of color and the English language learners we serve.
• Identifying and addressing implicit bias is paramount to this work. It is a personal journey, and we all enter this work together from different places.
• It is not enough to be “not racist”; we have to be intentionally antiracist.
• We are willing to work in a collaborative environment and to hold each other accountable.

Objectives

Clear objectives are identified for each topic, but the overall objectives of this study circle include the following.

Participants will be able to:

1. Articulate a working definition of antiracism in the classroom and why it is imperative to implement these practices. 
2. Each week, share 2-3 antiracist strategies from the week’s topic they are interested in trying. Try or deeply reflect on 1 strategy to try in their classroom.
3. Implement antiracist practices, such as the translanguaging roles, in order to better serve adult learners. 
4. Reflect on how implementation went to continually improve and make practices sustainable.
5. Connect with fellow Adult Education practitioners and create a supportive environment that fosters antiracist classrooms and workplaces.

Timeframe

This study circle is designed to take place during 5 meetings of 2 hours each, and over a minimum of 5 weeks. It is recommended to have the meetings over a longer period of time so that participants have time to do pre-meeting activities and reflection in between meetings. 

Interested in participating in a study circle?

Watch the Events Calendar and the MN ABE Connect newsletter to find out when this study circle is being offered.

You may also contact your program manager, who can connect with ATLAS to see if we can offer it for your program! Managers can contact ATLAS Director Patsy Egan ([email protected]), for more information.

Interested in facilitating a study circle?

The Study Circle Guide for the Antiracist Praxis Study Circle is now available on Canvas! Programs interested in using the guide can email ATLAS to request access, enabling them to conduct effective, research-based professional development for their teachers: Patsy Egan, ATLAS Director, [email protected].