Working Toward Racial Justice at School

It is the school counselor’s role to advocate for an inclusive school environment and social justice, but how do you begin addressing racism in your school? Begin systemically by looking at your school’s policies and procedures. Are there rules that are unfair to students of color? When discussing this topic, one of my graduate students recently said, “It’s easy to make a rule, but difficult to change a rule.” This is true, but we must work to promote change if there are inequities by collaborating with administration and other key stakeholders. Rules should be reviewed on a regular basis because promoting equity is an ongoing challenge for all schools.

The school counseling curriculum you use and topics you discuss in classroom lessons can intentionally address issues of racism or bias. This is a great way to have these discussions schoolwide. During your first classroom lesson of the year, make sure to stress the fact that, as a school counselor, one of your roles is that of an ally.

School counselors can use data to work towards racial justice. Analyzing your school’s achievement and opportunity gaps will help you see if inequities exist. If they do, you can advocate for changes to school policies or procedures that may be creating these barriers. Another way to use data to enact equity is by using your school’s data in your closing-the-gap plan or professional development plan for the year. Showing the disaggregated data and how you will work for equity are ways to address these gaps and advocate for your students.

If you have a racial incident in school, it will require a quick response and an effective intervention. Silence or a slow response can be hurtful when a racial incident has occurred. School counselors assist in such situations by supporting the affected student(s) and by making it a teachable moment for other students who may have witnessed or heard about the situation. Providing truthful information and strategies about how students can be an upstander or work to make the school a more just place can help students feel safe and empowered.

If you feel the need to increase your cultural competency, there are strategies you can use. ASCA has created a page of Anti-Racism Resources to help you create the school climate and culture your students deserve. Be self-reflective in thinking about your own emotions and comfort level with working with issues involving racism. Participating in professional development trainings or creating them at your school can also be beneficial. For example, creating a school-based task force to look at your school’s practices, beginning a PLC group on culturally responsive teaching, or starting a book club based on issues of diversity, privilege, or racism can assist in increasing your cultural competence – and that of other school staff members.

Contact Cindy Topdemir, Ph.D., Florida School Counseling Association Governing Board chair, at topdemir@fla-schoolcounselor.org.