Trauma in Schools #7 — Implicit Bias, Racism, and Discrimination

Dr. Orinthia Harris — CEO of STEMearly LLC and a faculty member for the Center for Educational Improvement

The Takeaway

Building an anti-racist space requires us to have courageous conversations, to go to uncomfortable places to get at the heart of the issue. It’s only through that process that we can transform trauma into resilience.

*“Black and Brown students have so many windows to see other people achieving, but they need a mirror in which to see themselves achieving.”*

Our guest

Orinthia Harris Ph.D is a dynamic educator with over 17 years of experience both inside and outside the classroom. She is the founder and CEO of STEMearly LLC, as well as a faculty member for the Center for Educational Improvement, specializing in early childhood STEM.

Prior to working as a professional development specialist, Dr. Harris enjoyed 10 years in the early childhood and elementary classroom, teaching all grades K-5, including ESOL in several Maryland School districts. Dr. Harris has a passion for making learning engaging, and has presented on how to effectively motivate and engage all students. She is a strong advocate for ensuring that anti-racist approaches are used in early childhood programs.

As you listen

How does long-term trauma affect black and brown kids who have experience racism and micro-aggressions early in life?
How can the trauma associated with racism manifest itself?
How are “windows and mirrors” used as an analogy to describe the learning process for young black and brown kids?
How does the “pipeline to prison” operate?
What does the “anti-racist classroom” look like?
How does how slavery is often taught reinforce the trauma that black and brown kids experience?