Up Where We Belong ERACISM Diminished Thinking vs. Diverse Thinking

Ten Problems in Many Schools: 1.Negative Mindsets about African American, Latino, and low-income students. 2.Underqualified Teachers 3.A Culture of Low Expectations 4.Ineffective Instructional Practices 5.A Boring, Culturally-Irrelevant Curriculum

6. Unfair Discipline Policies and Practices 7. Testing Practices 8. Racial Tension 9. The Schools Appearance 10. Educators Fear of Black Males *A mind is a terrible thing to waste; a mindset is an extremely hard thing to change…

All individuals believe various stereotypes. The problem is that many educators and policy makers are in denial about the stereotypes that they believe, especially about African American students Although negative stereotypes about African Americans are common in the U.S., most people will deny that they believe these stereotypes.

Detrimental school policies and practices can not be eradicated until we become honest with ourselves about our mindsets, stereotypes, and mental baggage. One of the consequences of these negative mindsets about African American students and their parents is another detrimental school factor: low expectations.

From the cradle to the grave, most Americans are socialized to fear Black men. We all know this is true, but most of us wont admit it. Even though educators may be in denial about their fear of Black males, children detect this fear very early. What can we, as educators do? Change the mindset from diminished thinking to diverse thinking…How?

*believe that ALL students can learn *believe that MOST students want to learn *believe that academic problems can be eliminated *believe that every student is gifted and talented in at least one area that should be identified and used to build that students confidence in other areas *believe that we MUST start to develop a college-bound mindset in ALL students beginning in kindergarten

As a nation, we must stop viewing Blacks, Latinos, and low-income students as stepchildren, people who: *deserve less *arent college material *arent capable of brilliance * are inferior Dont play God with other peoples children

What will you do to change the status quo in K-12 schools, so that the racial achievement gap and inequality of educational opportunity are eradicated? Eradicate diminished thinking and replace it with diverse thinking so that no student ever again has to say I didnt know that I wasnt supposed to be smart; what took you so long to tell me?

Session II Capturing Kids Hearts How do we deal with our students baggage? Everyone has it: teachers, students, parents, administrators. It drags us down to what is called the Eeyore Syndrome… Im ok, not too happy, not too sad, jus awright. GET RID OF AS MUCH BAGGAGE AS POSSIBLE. HOW? Reduce anxiety in your class room through organizational skills. Tend to your own anxiety before entering your classroom. Write notes of affirmation to your kids.

5 Key Performance Indicators 1.Increase persistent academic achievement on test scores for all. 2.Reduce tardiness and improve attendance. 3.Have administration make faculty feel rewarded and meetings fun. 4.Have a massage chair for every teacher lounge. 5.Reduce the high school drop out rate.

After The Flippin Group made the 5 key indicators presentation to a high school and Administration in Colorado, discipline problems were down 80 % in the first two years; fights, SRO involvement, police calls, and discipline referrals were all down 80%. You can go to the Flippen Group Website. Lenoir County needs them to come to us, or we need to go to them.AMAZING!

The Flippen Group encourages all to make emotional connections with every student that enters our class rooms. The #1 needs of all children are: - financial needs met - hunger - support system (sometimes only their teacher) - motivated What do we as educators do to motivate our students? Build a team and make an emotional connection.

The Flippen Group uses the EXCEL Leadership Teaching Model E ngage the staff and students X plore the students background/behavioral responses C ommunicate – always and with everyone E mpower students to learn L aunch = Recap the days lesson and have them write everything down in their agendas The key to success is consistency

NOT EVERYTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE ERACISM – the removal from existence of the belief that one race is superior to another Promoting Unity Through Communication and Education.

Raymond was a 5 year old African American male. His parents were highly educated high achievers who had high expectations for their son. Raymond was eager to learn, but he quickly learned that as a black male, he was NOT supposed to be smart. As he grew, Raymond faced more and more discriminating experiences. He became trapped in an all black male class in 8 th grade at a Catholic School he was attending. Raymond could feel that his teachers, nuns, did not care about him. Raymond continued to try to be a high achiever but was literally backhanded by his teacher for trying so hard to move ahead. This left Raymond partially blinded in one eye. He continued on and did graduate from that Catholic High School, but what he left there was his self-esteem. What had he done that was wrong? His intelligence had scared those in charge. Again, many educators fear black males. The students recognize this and use it to their benefit. Without knowing it, educators are sending black males down the Cradle to Prison Pipeline.

I May Trip and I May Fall or even be knocked down, but I will always Stand for what is right! There is only one Race, Its Human; And Everything else is Culture! eracism