Culture, Class, and Race: Constructive Conversations That Unite and Energize Your School and Community

by Brenda CampbellJones, Shannon Keeny, Franklin CampbellJones

Overview

Advancing equity in our schools and society requires deep thought and honest conversations about tough topics. These conversations about emotionally charged subjects, including race, class, and culture, can be daunting.

Authors Brenda CampbellJones, Shannon Keeny, and Franklin CampbellJones, experts in research and equitable practices, guide you through a meaningful framework for thinking about, preparing for, and having such critical conversations. They invite you to ponder your own cultural identity and assumptions, reflect and deeply consider values and beliefs, and then understand how these factors affect your conversations and interactions with others.

They provide essential information about the types of conversations and behaviors we all consciously and subconsciously exhibit and witness, with authentic stories and experiences from people who have used the authors' framework to enrich their communities. As you explore the information and activities in this book that are specifically designed to help you scaffold new ideas into practice, you and your colleagues will examine biases and begin to build equitable experiences for all students.

The book's field-tested approach enables every educator to grow professionally by using the power of conversation to develop trust, ask powerful questions, really hear the answers—and learn together in ways that strengthen and invigorate the school and community.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416628354
Publisher:	ASCD
Publication date:	01/16/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	135
File size:	652 KB

About the Author

Dr. Brenda CampbellJones is president of CampbellJones & Associates. She provides professional learning and technical assistance to school districts throughout the United States and Canada. Brenda has served as a teacher, an elementary principal, an award-winning middle school principal, an area superintendent, and a university professor. As regional director of the California School Leadership Academy, she led the staff development efforts for 33 school districts. Brenda coaches and facilitates the change process in school districts that are making systemic changes for student academic and social achievement. She is coauthor of the best-selling book The Cultural Proficiency Journey: Moving Beyond Ethical Barriers Toward Profound School Change.

Shannon Keeny specializes in supporting schools, offices, and communities to effectively engage in conversations that help explore access, fairness, and belongingness in the educational environment. Shannon's passion drives her to honor each person's lived experience by creating space in which we can all learn and grow. Immersed in this work for more than a decade, the core of her efforts is ensuring that people are valued, accepted, and honored. Shannon has served the educational community as a teacher and facilitator for the Howard County (Maryland) Public School System and adjunct professor at McDaniel College. She presents at national and international conferences.

Dr. Franklin CampbellJones works closely with schools and educational systems in the United States and Canada to ensure establishment and maintenance of equitable learning environments for children. His life's work includes service to education as a high school social science and reading teacher, school administrator, district office director, and state director for the California School Leadership Academy. Franklin was also professor of education leadership at CSU Los Angeles, Rowan University, and Towson University. His books include The Culturally Proficient School: An Implementation Guide for School Leaders, The Cultural Proficiency Journey: Moving Beyond Ethical Barriers Toward Profound School Change, and Journey of Spirit, Walk of Faith: Our Relationship with God.

Table of Contents

Foreword Delores B. Lindsey Randall B. Lindsey xi

1 Prepare to Engage 1

2 Unite Around Essential Terms 11

3 Energize with Circular Work 20

4 Coconstruct Brave Spaces 35

5 Communicate with the Power of Trust 51

6 Talk Before You Tackle 64

7 Uncover Values and Perspectives 75

8 Question with Better Questions 88

Appendix: Extension Experiences 101

References 122

Index 126

About the Authors 131

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Brenda CampbellJones, Shannon Keeny, and Franklin CampbellJones have creatively expanded the expectations and conversation for establishing a more equitable society. It is a clear call to improve relationships in ways that are practical, engaging, and inspiring.

The authors take us beyond conversations on race, class, and culture to alignment with our inner core via asking and answering difficult questions. Finally, a conversation that can be held . . . honestly.


—Dr. Theresa Saunders, Associate Professor, Education Leadership and Counseling, Eastern Michigan University; Consultant, African American Student Initiative, Michigan Department of Education

This book is not just read—it is "lived." The authors challenge and encourage each reader to be a mindful participant in a dynamic conversation of life. Individual voices carry the potential of the heart while our collective voices have unmatched power to liberate the dormant power of human potential.


—Richard S. Martinez, EdD, Diversity Consultant, Leadership Coach, Founder of the Artful Alliance

Instead of pathologizing and exploiting differences, the authors offer core components of meaningful conversation about the real and often-divisive issues that emerge from the power dynamics implicit within diversity. They teach us how to engage with each other in a way that honors dignity, affirms personhood, and builds community.


—John Krownapple, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Howard County, Maryland

As we have deeper conversations beyond race, class, and cultural boundaries, this book inspires readers to pose questions that "open up what is possible rather than shut down the emergence of newness."

I am inspired to reflect on why I teach, how I communicate and cocreate with all members of the learning community, and what I need to do expand my capacity to communicate truthfully and freely on behalf of the students and families that I serve.


—Alicia S. Monroe, EdD, Career Expert & Adjunct Professor, Rowan University; ASCD Faculty; CEO/Founder, Solutions for Sustained Success, LLC

Beginning with an emphasis on knowing oneself and developing a common language, the authors set the stage for creating safe and brave spaces. Of particular note, throughout the book there are clear examples and engaging activities that allow the reader to gain a keen perspective of the concept being shared.—Avis Williams, Superintendent, Selma City Schools, Selma, Alabama