Keeping It Politically Relevant: Student-Centered, Reality-Based, and Capacity-Oriented Work of Black Women Teachers

• In Event: 51.049 - Critical Race Theory

Abstract

The structure of American schooling perpetuates inequitable policies and norms that negatively impact the experiences and outcomes of marginalized students and their families (Hurn, 1993; Ladson-Billings & Tate,1995). We combine theories of critical race feminism (CRF) and politically relevant teaching (PRT) to explore how Black women educators use their understandings of their students and the socio-political context to inform their curricular and pedagogical choices and actions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, analyzed, and formed into counter-narratives to reveal the student and family-centered, authentic and reality-based, anti-oppressive and politically relevant, capacity-oriented curricular and pedagogical practices of these teachers. This work provides insights for teachers and administrators that can inform politically relevant and standards-conscious learning experiences for Black and Latinx students.

Authors

• Wanda Watson, Mills College

• Cathryn Devereaux, Teachers College, Columbia University