Anti-Bias, Antiracist Education
Goals of Anti-Bias, Antiracist Education
As a school, we have adopted the Four Goals of Anti-Bias Education, established by Louise Derman-Sparks and Julie Olsen Edwards in their book Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves (2012). Every adult in our community --guides, assistants, Special Education staff, administrators, and board members-- commits to upholding and pursuing these goals in their work with children and with one another.
The following goals are found in Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves, pages 4-6.
Goal 1: “Each child will demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social identities.”
At Breakthrough, all staff intentionally work to support a children’s development of a sense of individual, family, and social group identity. Children learn about themselves, their identities, their cultures, and their communities.
Children hear adults validate and celebrate their unique identity. Children see themselves represented in classroom books, materials, and artwork. Children observe adults modeling how to speak about their identity with pride and confidence.
Goal #2: “Each child will express comfort and joy with human diversity; accurate language for human differences; and deep, caring human connections.”
At Breakthrough, we recognize that children notice differences among people from a very early age, and they are naturally curious about these differences. We do not discourage children from noticing difference. We teach children that diversity is wonderful. Adults model how to celebrate the identities of others. Adults also model how to explore differences in a respectful and appropriate manner. We teach children that everyone is deserving of profound respect.
Goal #3: “Each child will increasingly recognize unfairness, have language to describe unfairness, and understand that unfairness hurts.”
At Breakthrough, we seek to teach children (and ourselves) “how to identify and resist hurtful, stereotypical, and inaccurate messages or actions directed toward them or others” (Derman Sparks and Olsen Edwards, pg 5).
Goal #4: “Each child will demonstrate empowerment and the skills to act, with others or alone, against prejudice and/or discriminatory actions.”
At Breakthrough, we seek to equip each child with the tools and language to respond when they are treated unfairly or they see a classmate treated unfairly.
Source: Derman-Sparks, Louise and Julie Olsen Edwards. 2012. Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Equity Working Group
At Breakthrough, a group of faculty and staff meet regularly to discuss Breakthrough's work on anti-bias, antiracist education and develop new context for the school's equity curriculum. The Equity Working Group is led by the Coordinator for Equity and Engagement. The Coordinator of Equity & Engagement works closely with the Executive Director - and in partnership with all stakeholder groups at the school - to advance Breakthrough’s commitment to equity and antiracism in the classroom, among the family community, and throughout the school’s institutional practices. The Coordinator of Equity & Engagement uses an equity lens to build out and implement a robust, multi-faceted family and community engagement strategy that ensures Breakthrough is an inclusive and welcoming environment that reflects the diversity of Washington DC.
Monthly Themes
As per our Statement of Values, Breakthrough Montessori serves all children and families. An important part of this work is to honor one another’s narratives and help children to celebrate their own identities as well as the identities of their classmates. To this end, each month Breakthrough celebrates a specific theme, culture, or community. Classroom teams introduce lessons and read books that highlight each monthly theme. We invite family members to help us learn about the world around us through participating in these themes. If you identify with any of the themes listed below, please contact your child’s teacher to see how you can participate. We invite family members to visit classrooms to read stories; share art, food, music or cultural artifacts; or talk to children about the monthly theme.
September: Our Community Values
October: Hispanic and Latinx Heritage and Cultures
November: Indigenous Heritage and Cultures
December: Holidays around the world
January: Middle Eastern and North African Heritage and Cultures
February: Black History Month
March: Women’s History Month
April: Neurodiversity/Climate Justice
May: Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage and Cultures
June: Pride
Breakthrough's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Library
Books are a wonderful way to introduce your child to diverse identities, cultures, and communities! Check out this list of books that Breakthrough Montessori makes available to its classrooms. If you're looking to expand your child's library at home, this list is a great place to start!