Equity Through Literacy

In this post-election episode of Equity Through Literacy, Dr. Chase explores the consequences of this current election including moving from the current (ineffective) Secretary of Eduction and the possibility of moving towards a new Sec of Edu who is prepared to ensure equitable instruction for all children.

Pandemic Pods is a logical response by parents who want to protect their children from the dangers of in-person schooling, but also provide them with optimal learning opportunities. Depending on the 'pod' from which they originate, some parents have a better chance of pursuing these better and safer learning options for their children than other parents. In this episode, we discuss the history behind why certain children have access to better learning options than others, and what we can do about it.

This episode of Equity Through Literacy features an interview with Principal Ashley Moore on how important it is to hire and retain Black teachers and the strategies she employs to find and keep Black teachers on her staff in a majority Black school. She describes what leadership looks like when you focus on equity and "doing what's right" even when it would be easier to do otherwise. Black children need Black teachers. Effective school leaders understand this fact and do what's necessary for the benefit of their Black students.

This episode of Equity Through Literacy features the amazing and dedicated equity and literacy expert Dr. Tina Curry as a guest co-host. She reveals the inspiration for her lifelong pursuit of equity for the benefit of empowering Black children to find their voice and exercise agency over their experiences with racism. We explore the concept of liberatory literacy as Dr. Curry outlines specific actions teachers can implement in their classrooms, and in their own lives, to help equip their students with the kind of literacy that will result in racial self-awareness, community empowerment, and liberation .

This episode of Equity Through Literacy highlights certain 'assumptions' we have about Black children and literacy instruction that we should acknowledge and reject, and other assumptions about equity and literacy that we should embrace. Awareness is the goal and only after awareness can action take place. *Episode Correction: The $54 billion dollars I refer to in the podcast is actually $23 million. My apologies for the mistake BUT it's still a lot of money!

This first episode of Equity Through Literacy outlines the intersection between literacy and equity as it relates to Black children in America. The term Equity Through Literacy is described, the reasons why this podcast is necessary, and a look into future podcasts as we further discuss the manner that literacy is denied and ways to make literacy accessible and equitable to all children.