Getting Unstuck #116: Stepping Back to Address Our Biases
Today on Getting Unstuck
In the midst of the current national discussion around race, racism, inequity, Black Lives Matter and intolerance, we welcome Anthony McWright.
Anthony is currently the principal for the Denver School of the Arts within the Denver Public School District. Anthony is from a small town in Mississippi where he quickly noticed racial disparities at an early age. This realization led him to pursue a degree in education where he hoped to change systemic practices that historically affect minoritized students and communities. For nearly 30 years, Anthony has worked to address and challenge educational reform in part as a classroom teacher and as a building level administrator, for he knows first-hand how education can change a person’s life.
The Essential Ideas in Anthony’s Own Words
Until I talk to you, until I get to know you, I shouldn't be making any judgment. And I say that regardless of any side of the aisle politically, or race, gender, where you come from. We all need to take a step back and address our biases, and assume positive intentions before we jump into a negative pool or negative space.
Let a child decide in their heart, or let them find out at an earlier age: “This is what I really want to do.” They need to explore different options, find what they want to do, instead of going to college spending all of this money only to find out “I don't like this.”
Re the murder of George Floyd, racism, inequity: We have to recognize it. If we don't talk about it, it's almost like we're dismissing that it’s there. So I'll hit this head on and try to get them to see even though it doesn't happen to you, this is a reality for people. And how do we go into our biases and address this because if you don’t address it, what does it look like in a classroom? What does it look like in our PTA? Or our collaborative school committees, our school leadership teams? What does that look like when we put programs together. So I'll get some folks on our district team as well as some outside sources to come in and have these conversations ,and see if we can really make some change. It's a great time to hit this and make a new curriculum or a new set of guidelines and make it happen.
“It seems like every year we try a ‘new’ educational initiative – something that somebody read about or experienced at a conference. We never seem to stay with it, though, because there’s always something new following on its heels. And our problems remain the same.” — A teacher
Tired of chasing the next shinny thing? Then take a different approach to change.
I will be recommending that our group of educational leaders with whom I work read your book. I think the organization of the book lends itself to each learner/leader applying the concepts to their own change efforts. Everyone can apply the themes and leadership practices.
Your book is very timely. "Shifting" is needed as educational leaders work through new distance learning approaches for all students. Educators must balance educating students, while keeping staff and students healthy. There is fear on the part of many teachers to remain healthy as they go back to school. Their why is to inspire and ensure that students thrive emotionally, socially and academically.
— Patrick Sweeney, Leadership Coach / Retired Superintendent