This summer, the Upper School English department engaged in a book-study group for Matthew Kay’s Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom. The book offers important ideas about how to ensure that classroom discussions are meaningful and productive for all students.
Some of the essential questions we explored consisted of the following:
- How can we lead effective and meaningful conversations about difficult topics?
- How can we create a culture where all students feel as if they can be part of an authentic conversation?
- To what extent do the ideas about issues of race apply to other issues?
- How do we create authentic “safe spaces” for all students?
Kay’s book offers some clear advice about creating a supportive classroom culture and provides some powerful examples of how he has managed difficult conversations in his classrooms. As a department, we want to continue to find meaningful and positive ways top engage our students in the world around them.