Antiracist school leadership: Courage and commitment

Antiracist school leadership: Courage and commitment

Author: Ethical Schools February 18, 2021 Duration: 42:30

Dr. Bradley Carpenter, associate professor of educational leadership at Baylor University, speaks about developing and supporting antiracist school principals. Very few leadership prep programs prioritize or embed antiracism principles or practices. A principal committed to centering antiracism needs to have a full equity audit of existing curriculum and practices and to lead faculty members through the emotionally laborious process of examining everyone’s own privileges and biases. The principal also needs to build support from above. Antiracism is an organizing principle, not an end point. 

Overview

00:00-00:51 Intros
00:51-04:30 What antiracist school leadership looks like
04:30-10:00 Prioritizing antiracism in leadership preparation programs
10:00-12:26 Support needed by antiracist principals
12:26-15:30 Support networks
15:30-21:55 What making change in the school looks like
21:55-25:25 Professional development
25:25-25:27 Incorporating antiracism into discipline policies and curricula
28:47-34:00 Dealing with structural inequities
34:00-35:46 Antiracism education for “nice white parents”
35:46-37:33 Standing up to overtly racist forces
37:33-39:00 Antiracism and retaining teachers of color
39:00-41:03 Self-care
41:03-42:31 Outro

Transcript

Click here to see the full transcription of this episode. 

References

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Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
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