“My grandmother used to say, ‘Many hands make light work.’ As I’ve navigated the waters of our education system, her words echo louder than ever,” writes Keisha Rembert, an author and doctoral student who spent 15 years teaching middle school English and U.S. history, in The 74. “I’ve become more acutely aware that society expects me to single-handedly solve every learning challenge, address every behavioral issue and close the equity gap.”
“This individualistic view of teaching and learning is unrealistic and damaging. We must subtract individualism and embrace a collective approach for educational success. Here’s how to remove silos and work together:
Puncture the Superhero Teacher Myth
- “Remove the false expectation that teachers are solely responsible to overcome systemic educational barriers and inequities.
- “Demand support structures to distribute responsibility across the educational community.
Eliminate Silencing Diverse Voices
- “Elevate racially minoritized parents/caregivers as the primary experts on their children’s lives, not just as supporters of our agenda.
- “Engage counselors, case managers, and paraprofessionals, especially those of color, as equal partners in educational planning.
- “Value students’ lived experiences and insights as foundational to our practice.
Redefine Accountability
- “Create collaborative spaces so all stakeholders, particularly from marginalized communities, contribute to decision-making.
- “Challenge systems that reduce student evaluations to test scores.
- “Use holistic measures of success that account for the complex, community-driven nature of education.
Fortify Cultural Wealth
- “Celebrate the cultural identities of all students, especially racially minoritized students.
- “Recognize community knowledge and experiences as essential parts of the curriculum, not supplementary.
“These strategies create space for a powerful, collaborative model of education. Make room for collective action and shared responsibility. Many hands indeed make light work and more impactful, equitable, and liberating work for our students.”
The 74
