Network of Black Studies Educators showcases the power of partnership and collaboration

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Network of Black Studies Educators (NBSE) has been making a huge difference in the lives of elementary and secondary students since it was founded. It has produced a professional resource document which outlines details of lessons and resources that can be used in schools across the Peel District School Board (PDSB).

It was established to address the erasure of Black epistemology in all curricular areas in our schools, and to empower teachers in the classroom with the knowledge, resources and support they need to lead this important work. They believe strongly that it is in the classroom that they can make the biggest difference to student achievement. This starts by centering the contributions and lived experiences of the students and families that they serve. Over the period of four years, work has been done at the elementary and secondary panel as was seen at the elementary school showcase on Thursday, June 29^th, 2024.

The formation of NBSE was a direct result of community consultations that came from: Black students, families and communities. This was the basis of the We Rise Together Action Plan. One of the offshoots of this collaboration was the launch of Black focused courses that are in alignment with action 2.1 in the PDSB Black Student Success Strategy (We Rise Together 2.0). The promotional resource notes that these Black studies courses:

• Allow Black students to see themselves reflected in the curriculum
• Validate the lived experiences of Black students and enable them to better understand their own inherent genius
• Help students feel a sense of belonging and encourage them to confidently strive to achieve their goals and dreams
• Allow all students to gain an expanded worldview by including Afrocentrism
• Enable all students to develop their critical consciousness and to recognize, name, and challenge racial oppression

The end result of this is that students gain the ability to: better understand their social location, build character, and become positive global citizens that impact societal change.

The Network of Black Educators is made up of educators from various Peel elementary and secondary schools. The founding chairs include Hayden Atwell, Tisha Elliot, Atheia Grant and Janice Lewis.

It was in 2023-2024 that NBSE Elementary was launched that resulted in the creation of a K-12 model that was intended to build on concepts and skills. The work of this panel provides support to the new Black History Ontario Curriculum that will be starting September 2025. There has been a progressive growth from Spring 2023. Fall 2023 witnessed the review of rich tasks by the CIA department, which led to its implementation of Phase Two Curriculum Writing Team with a focus on rich tasks in February 2024 and the launch of it in elementary schools in Spring, 2024.

The initial showcasing of the work of 10 NBSE elementary pilot schools in a community engagement evening was a resounding success. The showcasing of student learning in: Black Canadian history, science, and geography from twelve elementary schools at Mississauga Secondary Schools in June was a fitting culmination. In attendance were many community partners who presented their range of products and services. The presence of students, parents, staff and community partners reflected the power of partnership and collaboration on this important project that will continue to have a positive impact.