Humanizing Classrooms is Possible

As the first semester has come to a close, there have been significant revelations and emotions for me over the past few months. There is nothing quite like being a Black educator and having the privilege of engaging with Black students on a regular basis. Our perspectives may vary as there is a generational gap, but the level of community and love has been wonderful for both our spirits and our souls. The overlap and variance of our lived experiences truly builds comradery in our classes both during the days we are rolling along very well with computer science content and especially on the days we are not.

So often in class, we can go from discussions about abstraction and conditionals to Outkast and dating relationships. Our days together are far from perfect, having both highs and lows, but overall the warmth, character, and community feel of both my first and second-period classes at Mays High School is what learning environments should be like for all students, especially Black and Brown students in our schools.

These past four months have also served as a reminder that all educators can do a better job to improve and enhance the learning experiences for Black students in our schools. The possibilities are endless when you strike the perfect balance of accountability, mutual respect, love, care, expectations, and agency within a classroom. It seems doubly powerful when you are in a classroom with students who are not always used to experiencing that balance but are extremely appreciative that it exists and is possible.

Even when engaging in an area like computer science, which is commonly considered a rigorous content area, there is no excuse to not creating an environment conducive to learning through humanization. School spaces where all children experience liberation and are not bound and hindered by adults resigned to accepting and continuing to perpetuate the status quo is so necessary.

Sadly, we have too many people in education who are more comfortable operating in our school spaces than ones who envision a better environment and future for our kids. Too many educators have resigned to continue on the path of least resistance.

Educators should serve as facilitators of hope for our young people. They should acknowledge and act, but also have a better imagination for our educational spaces and communities. I can envision school spaces where kids of color are thriving, humanized, cared for, engaged in rigorous content, and loved by all adults in their buildings. I can envision Black and Brown kids experiencing transformative learning and liberation through schools led by classroom teachers who leverage their power to open multiple doors of opportunity, equity, and support while amplifying voices of those students in their care. Other educators across the country and I have been imagining and working for better than what currently exists in many public schools for students of color. My work at the Constellations Center for Equity in Computing this year has fulfilled my vision for Black students participating in computer science in public schools across the country. Spaces where learning is challenging, inclusive, collaborative, rewarding, engaging, mindset-shifting, and provides a perfect balance of agency and community for students.

So as we finish up finals this week, I am looking forward to a little less busyness, time for some reflection and a much-needed break. While rest will be at a premium for me during the holiday break, as well as extensive family time, I will also use the time to reflect, appreciate, and remain grateful for my new extended family of forty-three AP Computer Science students at Mays High School.