S5E5: Equity & Education: Can Schools Fix Racism?

Welcome to a new episode of Race, Culture & Beyond: A Naked
Conversations Podcast. In today’s episode, our special guest Amy
Nelson will share with us her thoughts on racism and
education. 
Amy Nelson (she/her/hers) works full-time supporting schools
and school leaders with equity-focused school improvement and
developing authentic partnerships with families and the
community.  She is a scholar-activist, racial justice
advocate, and youth organizer.   Amy is currently pursuing a
Doctoral degree in Educational Studies, Innovation, and Reform,
with a focus on social justice and equity in education (just passed
oral exams last week!).  Amy has over 15 years of experience
in education, both in the United States and abroad.  She
brings with her a wealth of experience working with culturally and
linguistically diverse students and their families. Her dedication
to social justice and equity in education can be seen across many
platforms: community involvement, participation on equity-based
committees, teaching experience, volunteer work, as well as her
research. Through her research, she aims to amplify voices that are
historically marginalized, both within our education systems and in
society as a whole. 

Amy shares her own experiences as a Black student navigating
mostly white schools, and how that contributed to the work she
now does.  She discusses lessons learned from teaching in
other parts of the world and how those experiences informed her
current work.


The main questions answered during this episode center
around “How can we do better to support equity in our
schools?”


Schools should be great equalizers and a place where everyone
feels included. Unfortunately, they don’t. We must ask ourselves,
do our students feel seen at school? Are they hiding any aspects
of their identity? If they can’t show up as their authentic
selves, they most probably won’t be able to achieve what they
truly want.


During this episode, we also discuss the relationship teachers
must grow with their students. Only by relating to them, listen,
and care, can we expect a change in educational spaces.


Thank you for listening to the show. It is such an honor to have
these conversations with you. They are necessary and needed, and
we are here to do the work. 


 


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