Educators to discuss education of Black youth at Jean Augustine Chair event, Feb. 24

The annual Black History Month celebration presented by the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora in the Faculty of Education will feature a discussion on “The Education of Black Youth: A National Conversation with Educators” on Feb. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. All are welcome to attend this free event.

Presented as part of the Faculty of Education’s Summer Institute (FESI 2020-21), the event features panelists who will discuss the similarities, relatedness and commonalities in the educational experiences, attainments, opportunities and possibilities of Black student in various regions in Canada.

The panel of educators who currently work as teachers and administrators in school boards in six Canadian cities, will enlighten participants about issues and concerns of educators, students, parents and community members pertaining to what schooling and education has been like – and continues to be – for them. This presents an opportunity to learn about what has been happening across the country because of the social structures and systemic oppressions they face.

The panel includes:

Beth Applewhite, district vice-principal of equity, diversity and inclusion, Burnaby School District, B.C
Lethisha Andrews, educator, Pearson Adult and Career Centre, Quebec
Karen Hudson, prinicpal, Auburn Drive High School, Cole Harbour, N.S.
Gail-Ann Wilson, teacher, Edmonton Public School, Alta.
Ainsworth Morgan, principal, Toronto District School Board, Toronto, Ont., and co-founder, 100 Strong Foundation
Moderator: Camille Williams-Taylor, director of education, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Ont.

This discussion takes place at a time when the world, and Canada in particular, is concerned with – and must address – the impact of the inequities in the economic, social, health, and educational situation of Black and other racialized students. While all educators – whether working directly in education, or parallel to education – have a responsibility to equitably serve the needs, interests and ambitions of Black students, in reality, much of the work falls on the shoulders of Black educators. All educators must address the realities of anti-Black racism that operates in school boards as barriers to the success of Black students.

Engaging in community-referenced discussions with practitioners who are at the forefront of addressing and dismantling barriers to Black students’ schooling engagement and educational achievement, some of the questions that will be raised include:

What are the social and educational experiences of Black students, families, and communities in their respective local and regional contexts that are of concerns to educators? How are educators responding? What are the results of their efforts?
How are educators and administrators disrupting or enabling anti-Black racism?
How are members of Black communities resisting white supremacy and anti-Black racism in schooling?
Are there school-community partnerships that are helping to enhance school- parents community relationship and therefore helping to enrich classroom engagement and learning?
What practical steps must be employed by all involved in education to address barriers to Black student success?

This event is being presented by the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora (York University) and is co-sponsored by the Administrators’ Black Caucus of Ontario, FESI 2020-21 and the Faculty of Education at York University.