Overall, this webinar discussed ways that teachers can decentralize themselves in terms of their own identities and privileges in order for them to be effective allies for social justice in education systems. The breakdown of three different types of allyship: self-interest, altruism, and social justice was probably the most salient part for me. This is especially true as Jarah discussed the distinction between being an ally for altruism’s sake and being an ally for social justice’s sake. I had thought I was closer to being an ally for social justice’s sake, however, I realized that I tend for focus on helping the immediate group of students in front of me (thinking of my recent urban observation experiences here), than on broader systems of inequity. This has prompted me to undertake more self-reflection on how I can reorient myself to target systems of systemic oppression as teacher. This includes taking a look at my own privileges and how this may color my future classroom/teaching style. This webinar also stressed that teachers need to acknowledge and allow space for the intersectionalities of individual identities. This was a powerful reminder that students’ identities are not one-dimensional, but are complexly multifaceted. I think this reminder encourages me to really focus on my listening skills with my students to try to unpack as much of these nuances as possible so that I can allow appropriate space for them in my future classroom.
