Becoming Anti-Racist ELA Teachers

“The opposite of racist isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘anti-racist’”

 – Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist

With a rising global movement to end racial injustice, the need to affirm, celebrate and advocate for Black students in our classrooms has become even more important. Teaching for an anti-racist future starts with educators, whether they come from a school that has a predominately White population or one that is diverse, including Black and other historically marginalized populations. 

The work to become anti-racist is difficult and ongoing, but is necessary for all teachers and all students, and will look different for people of different racial groups. But how can middle and high school English Language Arts teachers work towards becoming anti-racist educators? We can utilize these five steps, developed based on the work of scholars, teachers and activists, for actively moving towards anti-racist ELA education:

• Listen and reflect: Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever it is found, including within yourself. Therefore, the journey to becoming anti-racist begins at the personal level. Remember, the goal is not about pretending to be free of racism, but working to become anti-racist.
• Read: Educators, particularly ELA teachers, understand the importance of reading as a learning tool. There are a variety of books available to help address anti-racism and anti-bias in English language arts classrooms.
• Interrogate: Interrogation requires deep on ongoing critical questioning and educators who unpack their current practices should know that it will not be easy work. Interrogation may lead educators to uncover hidden biases they didn’t realize they had.
• Act: It’s important that educators move from listening to action, turn reflection into change and allow their interrogation to inspire transformation. Language has power, and English teachers should be sensitive, intentional and reflective in language that can lead to action.
• Repeat: The work an anti-racist educator needs to do is never done. Step Five reminds educators that when they think they are done, it is time to return to Step One, or whatever step is necessary to revisit. Anti-racist and anti-bias education is a life-long commitment and practice.

Download “Becoming Anti-Racist ELA Teachers”

Read and download the full white paper, “Becoming Anti-Racist ELA Teachers,” written by NC State College of Education Assistant Professors Michelle Falter, Ph.D., Chandra Alston, Ph.D., and Crystal Chen Lee, Ed.D.

View the full white paper

Meet the Assistant Professors Behind “Becoming Anti-Racist ELA Teachers”

Michelle Falter, Ph.D., Chandra Alston, Ph.D., and Crystal Chen Lee, Ed.D. share why they came together to collaborate on “Becoming Anti-Racist ELA Teachers” and why they felt compelled to write it.

Read Their Story

Read “Becoming Anti-Racist English Teachers: Ways to Actively Move Forward”

Michelle Falter, Ph.D., Chandra Alston, Ph.D., and Crystal Chen Lee, Ed.D. wrote a blog post for the National Writing Project highlighting their work surrounding anti-racist education.

Read the Blog Post

Becoming Anti-Racist English Teachers: Taking Action Steps

Michelle Falter, Ph.D., Chandra Alston, Ph.D., and Crystal Chen Lee, Ed.D. participated in a podcast for the National Writing Project focused on action steps toward becoming anti-racist English teachers.

Listen to the Podcast

Conversations About Equity

Michelle Falter, Ph.D., Chandra Alston, Ph.D., and Crystal Chen Lee, Ed.D., joined a Cumberland County Schools principal for the “Issues Now! Conversations About Equity Podcast.”

Listen to the Podcast

Watch “Exploring Next Generation Education: Becoming an Anti-Racist ELA Teacher”

Michelle Falter, Ph.D., and Crystal Chen Lee, Ed.D. participated in a webinar focused on how to move toward anti-racist ELA teaching.

Watch the Webinar