EDUC 401B
Winter Quarter 2017
Tuesdays 4-5:20
Race and Equity in Elimentary School
Leschi Elementary School
Instructors: Danielle & Gonzalo Guzman
In the current age of national racial justice movements, race and equity in public schools has become part of national discourse. However, this said discourse has focused almost entirely on higher education and to a
lesser extent secondary schools. This is curious, as the literature is clear that racial justice education is most effective and necessary before students reach secondary and higher education. The fluidity of racial identity
development, racial logic/understanding, and familyteacher engagement distinct to the PreK5 setting makes this a prime age group to focus efforts. In other words, if we are going to change the relationship between schools, racism, and race formation, we need to focus on the first school many students attend: elementary school. This twoquarter seminar attends to do just that.
In a twoquarter sequence course, we will center elementary education in racial equity and justice work. Housed at Leschi Elementary School, in the Central District, the first seminar will focus on developing
racial literacy and understanding exactly how race and racism function in elementary school. The second seminar will focus on antiracism education including current examples in the Seattle School District. This
course will be a mixed classroom where undergraduates interested in early childhood and/or elementary education will tutor with, learn sidebyside, and collaborate with current staff at Leschi Elementary. UW students and Leschi Staff will work towards building antiracist education together. This seminar will meet at Leschi Elementary both Winter and Spring Quarters.
Leschi Staff who participate in this program will be awarded clock hours and for students enrolled
for credit UW cars will be provided for transportation.
All participants must be able to commit to both quarters.
For undergraduate students, please fill out this survey when you enroll:
https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/gonzog/315858