Teaching While White: Jenna Chandler-Ward & Elizabeth Denevi

Affinity and Accountability

3-6 hours in person; 2.5 hours online

Developing and supporting antiracist white identity spaces, often referred to as “affinity” or caucus/resource groups for adults, students, and parents.

• Why does white racial literacy matter?
• What research is there to support affinity group work?
• What should these groups look, sound, and feel like?
• What are the benefits of naming white supremacy culture?
• How can we practice and improve our skills to challenge racism to promote greater engagement?

Antiracist Curricular Integration

3-6 hours in person; 2.5 hours online

Incorporating white racial identity development into your curriculum.

• Why is it important for students to see themselves reflected in the curriculum?
• How can you address racialized student experiences via what you teach?
• What are some strategies for shifting teaching practices for greater equity?
• How can you apply your understanding of racial identity to your classroom context?
• Why do students need to see white adults actively teaching about race and racism?

Why Your Bias Matters: How Teacher Expectations Impact Student Achievement

3-6 hours in person; 2.5 hours online

The vast majority of teachers don’t set out to support racism. Yet, if we have not been intentional about examining our bias, we can negatively impact our students.

• Current research: how important are teacher expectations? Why do they matter?
• How can we ensure that our expectations for all students are appropriate and not limited by factors such as stereotype threat and/or implicit bias?
• What does it mean to be a “warm demander”?
• How can we develop effective strategies to both recognize an reduce our bias in the classroom, on leadership teams, etc?

“Teaching While White seeks to move the conversation forward on how to be consciously, intentionally, anti-racist in the classroom.”

Jenna and Elizabeth

Jenna has been an educator in non-profits, schools, and colleges for over 20 years, working with students from kindergarten to college level. Most recently, Jenna had been a middle school English and drama teacher outside of Boston for over ten years. Jenna was also a founder and co-director of the Multicultural Teaching Institute, which produces workshops and a conference for educators on issues of equity and inclusion. Jenna currently lives in Cambridge, MA, on the Ancestral and Traditional land of the Massa-dchu-es-et and the Wampanoag. She is a diversity consultant, specializing in professional development for educators on issues of whiteness and its impacts on teaching, curriculum, and leadership. She holds an M.Ed. from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree from Marlboro College.

As director of East Ed, Elizabeth works with schools nationally to increase equity, promote diversity pedagogy, and implement strategic processes for growth and development. She is also an assistant professor at Lewis & Clark College in the Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Previously, she served as a director of studies and professional development and was responsible for the stewardship and integration of curriculum from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. At Georgetown Day School (DC) she served as the co-director of diversity and a senior administrator for 10 years. Elizabeth also worked at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School (VA) to create a comprehensive professional development program. She has taught English and history at a number of schools, including Castilleja School (CA), San Francisco University High School (CA), and Vail Mountain School (CO). Elizabeth has published and presented extensively on diversity and academic excellence, social justice, and equity issues, including Learning and Teaching While White: Antiracist Strategies for School Communities. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of London, Institute of Education, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. She also holds an Oregon Administrative License and lives on the Ancestral and Traditional lands of the Chinook.