Teachers Unions, Race, and Education Research: Innovations in Grassroots Organizing for Equity

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium examines the critical contributions of teachers unions, and community-based activists and allies, to educational and racial justice. Through analysis of justice-oriented initiatives led by teachers and their associations, presenters consider lessons that might be learned about grassroots organizing for equity and delineate strategies for breathing new life into unions and their relationship with students, parents, communities, and policymakers. They draw on illustrations from three different regions in the United States--the Deep South, Midwest, and Southwest--and document efforts relevant to racially marginalized groups, including African Americans and Latino/as. This symposium contributes to the dialogue on grassroots educational organizing for social justice. At a time when urban districts are closing schools in Black and Latino/a communities, attacking ethnic studies, and driving out teachers of color while supporting alternative teacher certification, the issue of teachers unions fighting for racial justice and joining wider social movements is pressing.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Critical Educators for Social Justice

Chair

• Kristen L. Buras, Georgia State University

Papers

• Educational Organizing Against Charter Reform in New Orleans: Learning From Black Teacher Associations and Community Allies - Kristen L. Buras, Georgia State University; Raynard Sanders, The New Orleans Imperative

• The Chicago Teachers Union: Taking on Racism and Building Social Movement Unionism - Pauline Lipman, University of Illinois at Chicago; Monique Rise Redeaux, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Austin’s Teacher Union, Race, and Resistance to Corporate School Reform: Community-Led Innovations at Travis Heights - Julian Vasquez Heilig, California State University - Sacramento; Ken Zarafis

Discussant

• Lois Weiner, New Jersey City University