Connections to Social Justice Standards: Identity, Diversity, Justice, Action
Strategies:
1. Collaborative Planning and Interdisciplinary Projects
2. Professional Learning Communities
3. Networking
4. Building Community With Learning for Justice
As educators plan to implement social justice curricula, joining and sustaining diverse alliances will grow the effect of their social justice efforts. Building alliances is about working together, giving and receiving support, and creating a sounding board for social justice planning. Alliance-building also gives educators space to discuss the critical practices outlined in this guide. Members of the group can be colleagues within the school or from outside networks. Connecting with individuals beyond the “choir” and outside personal friendship circles diversifies the network of allies and deepens the work.
Diversity and social justice topics such as race, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues may be difficult or uncomfortable for more privileged or less experienced members of the community to acknowledge or discuss. Having a critical mass of support can nevertheless help move the work forward and provide support in the face of resistance. If the group promoting social justice education includes a diverse range of members, the work won’t become identified solely with the perceived self-interest or agenda of a specific group.
Collaborative Planning and Interdisciplinary Projects
Collaborative planning and cross-class projects offer both students and teachers opportunities to deepen their shared understanding of social justice issues. Additionally, educators can create and showcase social justice strategies and approaches with colleagues during planning processes, within professional learning communities or with larger audiences (in online communities or conference presentations, among others). For example, history and art classes could work together to create memorials or monuments for a member of the local community who advocated for civil rights or social justice.
Professional Learning Communities
Professional learning communities, such as reading or discussion groups, provide regular opportunities for building relationships, supporting professional development, and focusing on issues that directly affect students and communities. Some groups have an assigned organizer and facilitator, while others rotate planning and leadership responsibilities.
Professional learning communities can also include vertical and horizontal collaboration. Alliances can evolve through developing a joint curriculum or action project. These projects can be developed across grade levels or classes or in collaboration with groups from other schools and communities. Establishing and reviewing a shared spectrum of standards and expectations will help students transition smoothly between school levels and strengthen educator practices.
Consider applying for a Learning for Justice Virtual Professional Learning Cohort or seek out other opportunities for support.
Networking
Teachers can tap into local groups and online communities to network with others who are interested in social justice teaching and organizing. Attending and presenting at conferences is another way to learn new strategies and build alliances outside their immediate school community.
National conferences and conference organizers of particular relevance to diversity and social justice education issues include the National Association for Multicultural Education, Teachers 4 Social Justice, the White Privilege Conference, Creating Change, Facing Race, the National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference and the National Association for Bilingual Education (Appendix C: Online Supplement has more information about these organizations).
Building Community With Learning for Justice
Learning for Justice regularly participates in and convenes events for social justice educators. Stay connected and build relationships with the LFJ community by subscribing to the magazine, attending in-person or online workshops, attending webinars or learning cohort meetings, subscribing to the LFJ newsletter, and following us on social media (Appendix C: Online Supplement has more information).
