Webinar Series
Learning From Black Teachers’ Pedagogical Practices in the Science Classroom
MƒA teachers can register for this event on the Small-World Network.
Date+Time
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The MƒA Equity Webinars Series invites nationally recognized educators to share ideas that support equity within STEM. Following an interactive presentation by the speaker, Master Teachers have the opportunity to discuss how these ideas might be applied in their own school environments in small groups. Teachers from MƒA, other Master Teacher programs, and people interested in learning more about MƒA are invited to attend.
What can educators learn from the pedagogical practices of Black teachers prior to the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision?
This landmark ruling declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. It also initiated a state-sanctioned mass exodus of the Black teaching force, which dropped from 45% to 7% between 1954 and today. Black teachers’ pedagogical practices have always centered liberation, justice, and joy.
Teachers today can learn from the liberatory practices and tools adapted by Black educators, especially as science education is being mischaracterized as politically neutral and objective.
In this webinar, Dr. Alexis Riley will invite teachers to: (1) reflect on the potential of science teaching and learning as pursuits of liberation, justice, and joy; (2) explore historical Black pedagogical practices and their connections to science teaching and learning; (3) embark on a solutions-oriented journey inspired by the anti-racist and anti-oppressionist work of current Black women science teachers who have applied lessons from the past.
Teachers will leave with practical tools and strategies established by Black teachers throughout history. While the tools presented will be most applicable to science teachers, all are welcome.
Dr. Alexis D. Riley (she/her) is a teacher-educator and Stevie Wonder enthusiast. She is a tenure-track Assistant Professor at New York University-Steinhardt in the Teaching & Learning Department.
Alexis has been in education since 2011, teaching social studies and science in Harlem for four years and then 9th grade Physics for five years. Her experiences with culturally relevant pedagogy heavily influenced her teaching and vision for the classroom.
Alexis’ research has prioritized the legacy, innovations, and healing of Black women teachers by placing their instinctual and improvisational teaching skills at the center of science education.