The PEARLS Project: Preparing Educators to Address Racial Literacy and Stress

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 25
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Examinations of Literature in the Education of Students of Color

Abstract

The Preparing Educators to Address Racial Literacy and Stress (PEARLS) Project provides an opportunity for teachers to critically and healthily explore racial topics using developmentally appropriate strategies that build racial literacy and relieve racial stress (Stevenson 2014). This paper presents findings from teacher interviews, focus groups, and observations and fieldnotes in urban school settings where racial literacy training was provided and racial literacy materials were piloted. Findings include: 1) discrepancies between teachers' perceptions of students' racial experiences and students' actual experiences 2) the importance of collaboration between researchers and practitioners when developing effective and accessible intervention materials, and 3) the need for racial literacy training for educators who struggle to build healthy relationships with students of color.

Author

• Kelsey Marie Jones, University of Pennsylvania