Racial Equity with Sheri Bishop – February 24, 2021
Racial Equity: An Important Call to Action for Administrators and Board of Directors
Presenter: Sheri L. Bishop, M.Ed.
It is the leadership of the Montessori community that guides the depth and breadth of Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist (ABAR) work that organizations and schools undertake. The organizational leadership, administrators and Boards of Directors, determine if and how, important values that include equity, diversity, inclusion, representation, and honoring a child’s individuality are actually embedded in the organizational ethos.
Sheri discussed the difference between a “racial tolerance mindset” and a “racial transformation mindset”, reviewed the three primary components of ABAR work, and actions and strategies that school leaders can implement as they move toward developing a prepared administrative infrastructure, a prepared school culture, prepared guides and staff, prepared classrooms, and parents that are prepared to support the manifestations of these values.
Besides previous administrative career experience, Sheri has 2 years of classroom experience as an elementary assistant and 6 years as a lead elementary guide. She holds an AMI 6-12 diploma from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta, a Masters in Montessori Elementary Education from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD, and will soon complete requirements for an AMI 3-6 diploma from the Montessori Institute of North Texas. She considers her ABAR/HRSJ work as an extension or her “Montessori calling”. She has experience training and supporting Montessori colleagues, leaders, and staff as they work to achieve equity and implement ABAR principles and practices in their schools. Sheri is proud to have been one of the founding members of the Montessori for Social Justice Board of Directors in 2017 and to have served through 2019.
Please take a moment to share your thoughts and reflections on this presentation, letting us know if there are any other HRSJ and ABAR topics that would be helpful for your administration and staff, and any requests for further support needed.
Preparing Ourselves Spiritually and Mentally for Revolutionary Social Change (November 15, 2020)
11/15/20 Webinar
11/15/20 Resource Guide
Additional Resources:
“Food For Thought”
Leading with Intent
Montessori for Social Justice
Embracing Equity
MPPI State Advocacy Groups
AMIUSA Equity and Inclusion Resources
AMIUSA Administrators Forum