Looking Forward: Reimagining Schooling for Social Justice and Equity During and Post the COVID Pandemic mini-series | Introduction by Teruko Dobashi-Taylor
Since the early months of 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic has devastated communities throughout the world and transformed education as we previously knew it. It has also exposed deep inequities that have plagued educational systems for generations, particularly for racially minoritized students, families living in poverty, students with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. In recognition of this pivotal moment in history, the AJE Forum Editorial Board is excited to share a series of essays written by graduate students, K-12 teachers and administrators, higher education practitioners, and college and university faculty that collectively invite us to imagine a more equitable future through a focus on transforming education policy and practice. The evolving nature of the pandemic juxtaposed with the beginning of a new academic year encourages us all to reflect on the lessons that we have learned throughout the pandemic and imagine the possibilities of more equitable and transformative educational futures. In that spirit of radical imagination, we begin this series with “Imagine If”, a call to action by Teruko Dobashi-Taylor, an assistant principal and doctoral student in Atlanta, Georgia.
Imagine If
Imagine this…
A building with adults who believed
every student bears beauty and brilliance
Breaking statistics and stagnancy
No longer bottling broken beliefs about a culture confined to the parameters of status quo pouring out low expectations, excuses, passive aggression, and hopes that White tears will wash away the inequities our Black, Brown and poor children face
Imagine if…
School Vision statements aligned along the side of change
Channeling triumph, perseverance, and resilience
Community building
Resistance
Refusal to just survive
Because the revolution will not be televised
But found possibly nestled in a zoom chat
Unfortunately, our distance learning plans didn’t incorporate lessons on how far off the sidewalk you have to jog while being black…
imagine the impact if…
all those at risk of being gunned down in broad daylight had access to technology, internet, a basic right to learn…
but Black boys and girls wait for AT&T to expand to apartments and hoods I guess they see as not worthy of more than a hot spot
Imagine if…
we incorporated life skills in language arts, how to conjugate home loans, money management in math, 401Ks, and balancing budgets
Imagine if…
CCRPI… identified each school’s ability to Craft Culturally Responsive Programs of Inquiry
Where children are given permission to question the realities they are presented
Take a concept and critically and consciously push back
…but…
school is more of “wait your turn, sit down listen and learn, I’m right your wrong, teach consequences and so what if you’re not ready, it’s time to move on.”
Imagine if we believed that our children were not tabula rasa
Blank canvases
But more like murals
Imagine if…
Data digs
Demographic reviews
Revealed internalized oppression
seeping from our children who’ve equated white skin with distinguished
Imagine if…
Professional developments developed
Plans of action to dismantle institutionalized methods that ostracize our children because they never been skiing…
can’t relate to the test
set up over and over to prove that someone must be lower than the rest.
Imagine if we utilize planning time to rise above policies that police our children and frameworks that deny the importance of their existence or experiences.
Imagine not needing to slip in Black jewels the hidden curriculum
No longer required to teach that running while black, hoodies too low, raising your voice too loud, staying in your own home or car can automatically equate to the last breath you take
Imagine if schools didn’t have to mimic prison lines in hallways & self-isolation to rehabilitate and teach lessons because “we got to prepare them for the real world”
Imagine if we cultivated and inspired liberators and freedom fighters
Imagine if
Seeping silhouettes of Oscar, Sandra and Trayvon in history books instead of just Martin
Mortaring for more than hashtags and a week of outrage
because we can’t get no peace
Our dreams are deferred
But this is the time
So, let’s wake up and give our children the ability to take charge, live, and thrive.
Teruko Dobashi-Taylor, a Black Queer educator and poet, is originally from San Francisco, California. A former foster youth and Berkeley graduate, Teruko began her educational career as an advocate in the non-profit space focused on social justice and community organizing as a teenager. Teruko is a trained restorative practitioner, has a Masters in Social Work from Jackson State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia, University. She has served as an alternative high school crisis counselor, critical and creative writing facilitator in Juvenile hall, and a 4th-5th grade teacher. Now an assistant principal in Atlanta, GA, and a doctoral student at Georgia State, Teruko strives to be a self-reflective and well-rounded leader. She hopes to dismantle the chains of educational and social inequities, and help cultivate leadership in children and adults.
