AP/Dean Corner

Black Excellence at Aspire Public Schools

I feel very proud to be a part of an organization that recognizes the need to reflect and improve the way we teach and include our black scholars. As we know, institutions, such as schools, were not created for students of color nor do they promote equitable practices. At Aspire we are heading in a direction where we are being reflective of our instructional and disciplinary practices, in ways that many other public schools are not. 

I know that I personally have a lot of room for growth when it comes to equity. I do, at times, fall in the trap of blaming parents and students for the inability to perform or behave.  I am working on this through reflection, reading and research.  I have learned, through attending Leading For Equity Institute four few years ago, that I myself had priviledge growing up that unconsciously causes me to have bias. That idea in itself was a eye- opener for me because I thought since I am a Latinx woman I am automatically absolved from being biased. Through my parents sacrifice, I was able to attend a private Catholic school from 1st-8th grade along with my brother and sister. This did mean we didn't have much in clothes, or toys. Nonetheless I was able to access a more rigorous curriculum than I would have had I attended a public school in my community. I have to remind myself of this before passing judgement on our students and families. 

What are some unconscious biases you may carry? How do these manifest themselves in your practice as an educator at Aspire Firestone?

To read more about the disparity between students of color and white students follow this link:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/black-latino-students-per_n_1224790?ref=black-voices&ir=Black+Voices