A Quick Post

Lately I have been a part of a lot of conversations around equity and antiracist pedagogy and how so much of the work is being left to those who are also unfairly burdened by polices and practices that uphold those inequities.

The conversations lead by amazing educators have been eye opening and I am learning so much in how to be better for my students and colleagues.

Sometimes I get frustrated that not everyone wants to learn about ways they can help.

Sometimes I get frustrated that some are not interested learning ways they can change their pedagogy to be more inclusive, change their language, change their practice.

More than a few times this week I have been told in conversations both in person and online that we need to meet people where they are if we want them to grow.

Today I realized that is less of an expectation than we have for our students.

If a student is being a bully our advice isn't "well victim, meet them where they are." If a student is using racist language we do not say well until they are ready to change we all just need to support them.

Instead I suggest we should be raising the bar of our expectations for our colleagues. Educators who are leading the way in Trauma informed practice, LGTBQ and IBPOC equitable practices and antiracist pedagogy should not be expected to take steps backwards. They should be counting on us to put in the effort to meet them where they are. They are living the work and we should not expect them to waste another moment meeting us where we are while some won't even admit they can do more than send well wishes. This couldn't fit in a tweet. Sorry.