I'm grateful that you have survived...
reflections, resource share, and networks to stay connected
hi yall…
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how to start this newsletter. So much has taken place and so much is happening. So I’ll share a quote from Alexis Pauline Gumbs’ book, Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals. This week I meditated on chapter 8 entitled, be fierce.
“I am first of all grateful that you have survived to yet shout one more day in the face of all theft. I’m in awe of how you look power right in the eye with the gall of what you know, need, and remember.”
Another school year is beginning with parenting adults releasing their young ones into our care with swirls of hope, and fear. Education leaders seeking guidance that shifts without warning, trying hard to show up with confidence and care for their community members. Educators still recovering from the whiplash of having the hopefulness of the spring so swiftly change course to the rising tides of COVID concerns and the vitriolic backlash against equity and racial literacy.
I see you.
I’m grateful that you have survived to yet shout one more day.
To shout, to love, to honor, to nurture, to live. To thrive.
something you can try out…
A few years ago, I tried out a new “getting to know you” technique. Over the summer I reflected on the fact that not everyone in the school building gets long periods of time off in the summer. Given the events of that summer, I also realized that people might have had heavy or deeply personal experiences that they didn’t want to share. We often come back from breaks and immediately ask, “How was your break? How was your summer vacation,” expecting a bubbly and positive response. To disrupt this habit, I created name tags that were labeled, “Ask me about.” I encouraged colleagues to write a topic on their name tag that they’d like to talk about with other people. People appreciated being able to proactively create a lane of conversation they were excited about. Some teachers took this technique into their classroom and used it after other breaks as well.
what I’m learning about + who I’m learning from…
When this image came across my Twitter timeline, I was drawn in…and then I read the content and got even more enthused. Shouts to Claribel for distilling Gholdy Muhammad’s post, 12 Questions to Ask When Designing Culturally and Historically Responsive Curriculum. And if you haven’t yet checked out Gholdy Muhammad’s book, Cultivating genius: An equity model for culturally and historically responsive literacy, check it out. Applicable across grade levels and subject areas.
share a resource…
Now it’s your turn to share a resource with our Community.
Each time I put out a newsletter (hopefully monthly), I’ll add a topic to my Padlet. You’re invited to add equity-centered and liberatory resources under that month’s column. This month, let’s share resources for engaging community-building exercises. What exercises are you using to build community within your classroom and teams?
what I’ve been up to..
First off, a lot of reflection.
I often sit back and reflect on where I was a year ago. I rest in gratitude for the journey to where I am now. My body is responding well to the shift in pace. My mind is feeling more energized and budding with creativity again. I feel good.
I’m also grateful for my Community (for this Community). Since formally launching Tamisha Williams Consulting, LLC, you all have supported my work and welcomed me into your school communities and teams with excitement. From my fave SEL team in Austin, who run the most human-centered, mission-aligned, and love-filled meetings (and who planted a seed for an upcoming resource!) to my California colleagues who have kept me connected from across the nation and welcomed me into your opening meetings.
I’ve also been reflecting on ways to get real about what happens in our brains and body when we’re engaging in work that disrupts our deep-rooted beliefs and socialized expectations and behaviors, especially work that centers around race and racism. When I discuss the way of being (what some call norms), trust that discomfort is a catalyst for learning and growth, I’m now pausing to discuss the amygdala hijack, how it shows up, and things we can do to lower our threat detection system. I’m talking with other facilitators about ways to limit the re-traumatization of folks of color in the spaces I facilitate. Constantly sharpening my skills as a facilitator to anticipate and respond to the vocal white participant who takes up space with their defensiveness, while saying aloud that they’ve been doing this work for a long time. And developing ways to prompt reflexivity and the acknowledgment of our positionality within the contexts we’re seeking to change.
The work before the work, during the work, and after the work.
join me for upcoming events and meetups!
When I’m not reflecting and visioning for the future…
I’ll be seeing you all (over Zoom) in my workshops and networks. Join me! All registration links are in my Linktree.
I’ll be leading a Reflective Practice PLC through the CATDC this school year.
I’ll be co-facilitating a monthly meetup, resource sharing, and skill sharpening group for DEI practitioners with Dr. Mary Antón. We get started in September.
We’re also co-facilitating a year-long Equity Teams PLC, supporting school teams in deeper systemic work. Only two spots remain open.
And if you’re a principal or head of school seeking to sharpen your equity lens while expanding your professional network, join our Equity Leadership Cohort.