Restorative Justice Montclair and the Montclair Education Association will co-host a discussion – How to Talk to Children About Race and Racism – on Wednesday, June 10 at 4 p.m. via ZOOM.
“As educators, community leaders, and human beings, it is our obligation to continue to engage in these important conversations,” said Gayl Shepard, Restorative Justice Coordinator for the Montclair School District, who will moderate the conversation. “The future of racial justice is on the line. It is vital that we continue having these conversations so that we can turn this moment into a sustainable movement.”
Joining Ms. Shepard will be a panel of educators, advocates, and clinical specialists:
- Amanda Adams, NJEA Associate Director of Professional Development, Co-Coordinator of the NEA Priority Schools Initiative
- Syreeta Carrington, Teacher at Glenfield Middle School, Restorative Justice Montclair Teacher on Special Assignment
- Dr. Michelle Fine, Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Urban Education, The Graduate Center CUNY
- Jeff Freeman, Principal of Edgemont Montessori School
- Dr. Sonja Gray, MD, Psychiatrist
- Tony Grosso, Principal of Montclair High School
- Candice Pastor, Teacher at Renaissance Middle School, Restorative Justice Montclair Teacher on Special Assignment
The panelists will respond to, and take comments from, the public, via the ZOOM chat option.
Petal Robertson, Montclair Education Association President is the ZOOM meeting contact; details below:
Topic: How to talk to Students K-12 about race/racism
Time: Jun 10, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 884 7697 2827
Password: 607180
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That’s funny. Because I thought I heard the students complain on Sunday about the racism in the classroom, you know, committed by MEA members/teachers. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of racism in Montclair to go around, I just wonder if MEA should maybe look in the mirror first. How’s that Undoing Racism training organized by Dr. Johnson coming along?
You are on point. It’s high time the MEA and the Principals Union took a long hard look in the mirror. They have upheld racism within the school walls for a very long time. Can we find out what happened to these staff members who did what the students spoke about on Sunday? My guess is nothing. MEA did admit they have programs in the schools right now that need looking in to. Well, if the program looks racist, but Nathen Parker calls it “Life Saving”, what’s one to do? 🤔