Leading Equity (eBook)

Sheldon L. Eakins, PHD, is Director of the Leading Equity Center and host of the Leading Equity podcast. He has over ten years of experience in education and has served as a teacher, principal, and director of special education.

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xxiii

About the Author xxv

Chapter 1 Know Your Biases and Recognize Your Position of Privilege as an Educator 1

Chapter 2 Get to Know Your Students 25

Chapter 3 Spend Time with Students Outside School Settings 55

Chapter 4 Check Your Current Language Practices 77

Chapter 5 Promote a Decolonial Atmosphere 99

Chapter 6 Adopt an Advocacy Mentality 115

Chapter 7 Educate Yourself 137

Chapter 8 Model Vulnerability and Humility 151

Chapter 9 Recognize How to Build on Students' Assets 167

Chapter 10 Use Social Justice as the Basis for Advocacy 195

Index 213

"Dr. Sheldon Eakins has written a masterpiece! The topic of equity is by far the hottest topic in education today. Countless educators are writing about equity inclusive of what it is and what it is not. In Leading Equity, Dr. Eakins has gone beyond theory. This book is introducing ten actionable steps that a teacher can implement in the classroom immediately. At the proverbial end of the day, this is what teachers are looking for - strategies and solutions that they can take immediate hold of."
--Baruti K. Kafele, Retired Principal, Education Consultant, Author

"When I think of people who are leading the way in the work of Equity, Sheldon Eakins immediately comes to mind. Leading Equity is the book I wish I would have had when I began my career in education. It is thought provoking, moving, and helps the reader grow into a better human and educator. This should be required reading for anyone working with kids."
--Todd Nesloney, Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership at TEPSA, bestselling author, international speaker

"Dr. Sheldon Eakins' Leading Equity book is the culturally responsive actionable guide that every teacher needs! Stemming from his impressive scholar/practitioner background, it engages critical topics like asset-based pedagogy, decolonizing the classroom, acknowledging privileges/biases and embracing humility and discomfort with lesson plans, case studies, and prompts for all to engage and apply. It is comprehensive in scope and relentlessly committed to more just classrooms, schools, and societies."
--Emily Affolter, Ph.D., Prescott College Faculty in Sustainability Education

"Leading Equity is a must read for educators and school leaders. Amidst so much controversy and politicization, it's easy to forget how vital questions of identity are to ensuring equitable and positive schooling outcomes, yet Sheldon Eakin's text invites us in accessible, welcoming ways to consider how we can help students navigate the complicated terrain of race, identity and culture in classrooms, while supporting educators to reflect productively on our own identities and responsibilities in the classroom. This is a real contribution to how we approach our diverse classrooms in the present era."
--Michael C. Domínguez, Associate Professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies, San Diego State University

"Dr. Eakins takes us on a profound journey of self-reflection and improvement, weaving together real-life stories and practical reflection activities to help us recognize and understand our privileges and biases. Sheldon guides us through the often uncomfortable admission that is necessary for us to embrace the challenge of self-reflection so we can better understand, connect with, and support our students, colleagues, and community members."
--Jeff Gargas, COO/Co-Founder, Teach Better Team

"Leading Equity by Sheldon Eakins is an evergreen AND relevant book 'for the times' as it accomplishes inclusivity and access for all educators, including equity skeptics! In the opening paragraph of chapter one, Sheldon isn't shy about addressing the elephant in the room--instead, he writes, 'Sometimes, when we hear the word privilege, we default to the popular term, White privilege. The reality is, though, we all have some form of privilege.' I appreciate his honesty for colleagues who already understand this but are made to feel otherwise. In current troubling times, teaching teams need warm and truthful feedback--we also need to learn how to be inclusive and collegial to raise equity for vulnerable students. Through the powerful reflective activities found in this book, Sheldon expertly provides what schools need to begin and sustain equity efforts!"
--Jorge Valenzuela, Education Coach, Author and Advocate