Teaming is critical in today’s schools! However, are our own biases and aspects of privilege getting in the way?

​by Ellie Drago-Severson, Jessica Blum-Destefano and Deborah Brooks-Lawrence (October, 2020, The ​learning professional, Vol. 41, No. 5):

In the context of education in the midst of a pandemic, the concept of teaming is as important as ever. While more voices on school and community teams heard will help us get closer to truly antiracist learning environments, we must recognize that our own biases and aspects of privilege can get in the way. The article under review suggests that the concept of teaming needs to be examined with a more critical lens.

The Learning Forward article that we are showcasing in this Newsbrief asks us to consider new ways of thinking about teaming in the light of seeking a better understanding of meeting equity goals. As a principal quoted in the article suggests:

“Teams are critical now and can serve as integral spaces of planning, connection and advocacy for social justice, broadly defined. Yet educators enter into pressing conversations about equity, race, identity, culture, and the health and well-being of the community from a wide range of starting places”.

The authors ask an essential question: “How can teams—and the people who compose them—grow together and forward together toward more equitable action and understanding?”