Toward antiracism: The evolution of an undergraduate teacher ed program

Toward antiracism: The evolution of an undergraduate teacher ed program

Author: Ethical Schools March 4, 2021 Duration: 21:59

We speak with Dr. Marsha Daria of Western Connecticut State University. Dr. Daria teaches undergraduate courses in the Department of Education and Educational Psychology. She explains how in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the department reconfigured its curriculum to center social justice, equity, and self-reflection. She discusses the department’s recruitment initiatives to increase teacher candidate diversity.

Overview

00:00-00:29 Intros

00:29-02:44 Western Connecticut State College and its community

02:44-05:14 Westconn education department re-evaluation after George Floyd murder and subsequent movement

05:14-07:06 Social justice and equity assessment; self-reflection

07:06-07:53 Biases

07:53-08:25 Balancing academic and practical experience

08:25-09:46 Responding to “I’m not racist.”

09:46-15:27 Outreach and recruitment to Danbury students: 5th graders, and recruitment of high school students to go into education

15:27-16:37 Forthcoming article in The School-University Partnership Journal

16:37-17:00 Pushback?

17:00-18:19 Recruitment of faculty of color

18:19-19:12 Why college undergraduates are less diverse than Danbury schools student body

19:12-20:06 Challenges with teacher candidates

20:06-21:59 Outro

Transcript

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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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 240

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