“Our education system is a disaster. A total catastrophe.” Scottie sips her honey vanilla chamomile tea. “Isn’t this what Dr. Gloria Ladson Billings calls Death in the Classroom?”

“Yep! Dr. Glo Lad called it.” Malik walks from the kitchen with a saucerful of chicken salad and crackers.

Scottie rolls her eyes. “Not you calling her Dr. Glo Lad. Did she authorize that sobriquet?”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY FREE NEWSLETTER

Malik ignores Scottie. “Today after school, my homeboy and I talked about keeping kids engaged in class this year. It’s starting to feel like the honeymoon phase is ending. We have to figure out how to keep them from failing and getting suspended.”

Mialee stands up and walks to the table to grab her phone charger from her backpack. “Exactly. Our students won’t ever reach their full potential as long as the system operates like this.”

“Yeah. My homeboy’s instructional coach showed him some academic data. He said Black and Hispanic kids underperformed all the kids in reading and math,” Malik says.  

 “Well, it’s not because Black and Hispanic kids don’t care about school or can’t learn. They can and do learn, achieve, and create at high levels. They underperform because of dehumanization,” Mialee’s tone is indignant. “The academic, social, and emotional death happening in our classrooms is a result of systems of oppression designed and maintained by upholders of white supremacy.”

“Like I said, it’s a catastrophe and not just for students, but for teachers too! We are neglected, unfairly compensated, disrespected, overworked, and denied protected development and time to improve our practice. This work is unsustainable, and that’s why teachers are quitting. We are tired.” Scottie complains. 

Mialee sighs. “You would think that because teachers are the most important school-based factor when it comes to student learning and social emotional development, we’d be kept healthy and happy.” 

“Say that, sister!” Scottie shouts. “I’m trying to be a kept teacher!”

Malik laughs. “So what do we do? How do we fix this?”

“I don’t know, but it’s not a quick fix. The type of transformation we need requires a highly educational process. It has to be strategic and systematic. That’s how we get kids and teachers what they need to thrive. It won’t happen overnight.” Mialee says.

Malik nods. “I agree.”

“We have to eliminate the causes that create failing schools.” Mialee continues. “If we are going to prepare our students to reach their full potential, we have to free them of exploitation, domination, dehumanization, and exclusion. We have to create schools that empower them. Schools should develop kids’ ability to think critically, ask questions, collaborate and communicate, regulate emotions, solve problems, use media and technology effectively, and create new possibilities. Instead, our children are dying. Our communities are dying.”

Malik chews and speaks at the same time. “Yeah, so what are we going to do? What’s the next move?” Scottie looks at him with disgust.

---