Critical consciousness is the process of developing an awareness that identifies the continuation of oppression and the recognition of privilege. Once this never-ending process begins, one can fully engage in anti-bias/antiracist conversations. This workshop shall uphold the critical consciousness framework according to Freire through group dialogue, participatory action, and empowerment.

Public Montessori Educators of Texas 

Building the Adult’s Critical Consciousness

The best results come from a shift in mindset, not an isolated set of lessons to do during the 11 o'clock hour. Our work begins with those who hold the most power in education, the adults. We will focus on building the adult’s critical consciousness which strengthens the muscle for adults to identify, analyze and act against them ways oppression and privilege currently exist in our structures. Participants will build awareness around their social identities, unpack internalized racial oppression, and analyze existing school policies.  Activities are practiced throughout the workshop to promote further understanding. Resources and examples are shared to further action. Adult learners will experience a mix of shared work time, presenting, and independent work time.

Houston Montessori Center 

An Introduction to Anti-bias Antiracism Education in Montessori Spaces

After exploring social in Building the Adult’s Critical Consciousness workshop, participants will turn that awareness to cultivating a library that uplifts and reflects their learners. We will be focusing specifically on how to analyze books so that guides will be able to apply that knowledge to evaluating and developing their own libraries. This workshop will support the creation of ABAR Montessori communities by giving guides the tools to be able to look critically at their literary choices and provide their learners with culturally relevant and appropriate books.

Co-presented with Tiffany Jewell and Ashley Speed.

Montessori for Social Justice 

Decolonizing Your Classroom Library: Curating a Collection to Uplift, Amplify and Reflect

Through my newfound definition of self-care, I have learned how to balance my anti-racist teaching practice with my authentic self-care for radical healing. Workshop partners will experience four self-care strategies to radical healing from white supremacy. Anticipate active participation that requires vulnerability, deeply reflective writing prompts, and empowering phrases to protect your self-preservation. Partners will walk away with tools to continue their own authentic self-care work for radical healing.

Teachers Self-Care Conference 

Healing From Racial Injustice

Gain practical strategies for creating an environment where the whole child is seen, heard and valued. Take away tools like equity audits, assessing teacher-created materials, adding hidden perspectives into the content, and implementing culturally responsive pedagogy. Co-presented with Antonia Adams 

National Education Association  

A COURSE OF ACTION: CREATING ANTI-BIAS, ANTI-RACIST CLASSROOMS 

Educators seeking a course of action to bring anti-bias, anti-racist values to life are in for a treat. This highly-interactive workshop offers practical strategies for creating an environment where the whole child is seen, heard and valued. Participants enjoy developing equity audits to meet their integrity agreements, assessing teacher-created materials, adding hidden perspectives into the content, and sharing valuable advice for implementing culturally responsive pedagogy.

National Education Association 

A Course of Action

What does it mean to build an anti-racist Montessori community? What does developmentally appropriate anti-biased, anti-racist practice look like? How do we truly work toward a more just world and fully embody Maria Montessori’s vision for education for peace? This workshop will offer you an expanded philosophical understanding of social justice work within Montessori Early Childhood and Elementary classroom communities, as well as concrete tools that you can implement into your programs.

American Montessori Society 

Anti-biased, Anti-racist Practices that Go Beyond the Peace Table

Co-presented with Tiffany Jewell, critical consciousness is the process of developing an awareness that identifies the continuation of oppression and the recognition of privilege. Once this never-ending process begins, one can fully engage in anti-bias/antiracist conversations. This workshop shall uphold the liberatory consciousness framework according to Barbar Love through awareness, analysis, action and accountability/allyship.

Montessori for Social Justice 

Building the Adult’s Critical Consciousness

Inquiry requires us to pause- to stop and notice, and then to respond. What does it look like to inquire into systemic racism and bias? How would learning and teaching be different if schools were designed to celebrate and foster inquiry about dismantling white supremacy? If teachers were encouraged to hold this anti-racist inquiry stance at the center of their pedagogy? The educators on this panel have done just that.

Britt Hawthorne, the panelist, turned to homeschool when public school was no longer an option for her black sons. In her quest to teach them about their racial and ethnic identity, she discovered that this was learning educators needed to do as well. Through these conversations and challenging questions, her work expanded into social media, where she has garnered over 15,000 edu-learners interested in anti-racist education on Instagram. She offers family and classroom-based strategies for this work.

National Council of Teachers of English

Learning in Anti-Racist Spaces