To conclude Black History Month, this week’s teaching tips offer a summary from our recent VOISES panel on Black student experiences here at UNCG.
Close the gap with additional support and offer concrete help.
Offer practical advice. Familiarize yourself with administrative and academic support systems. Learn about student health and financial aid programs that may have a direct effect on your black students. Black students have unique challenges. On one hand, they can feel invisible because they may be overlooked. On the other hand they are often viewed as representatives of their group. Each black student’s college experience may contrast greatly from the next. Several resources at UNCG are listed below.
- Office of Intercultural Engagement Supporting Black Students – Bri Welsh, Assistant Director for Diverse Student Engagement
- The Division of Student Success offers several academic support offices:
- Academic Achievement Center – including the Supplemental Instruction Program (SIP) and other resources
- Office of TRiO programs – including Special Support Services (SSS)
- Students First Office
- Anna M. Gove Student Health Center provides assistance for physical ailments, illnesses, strained relationships, anxiety, high levels of stress, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, or loss of motivation. There is Massage Therapy available as well for a fee.
- The financial aid office offers a series of videos in English and Spanish that provide information about navigating the steps for students and parents about timelines, application, and accepting financial aid.
Evaluate your current content in terms of representation.
Pay attention to both identity positions and topics connected to your course that might not be adequately represented. Consider using concepts, theories, and/or techniques that represent a variety of identities, cultures, and worldviews. For example, if you are currently using a History text written by a white man but you have the option of using a different text written by a woman of color, choose the latter to change up who is represented in your curriculum.
Diversify your content.
Review your content for places where you might be able to find a source that accomplishes your main objectives while also enabling and representing more diverse perspectives and conversations. If there is a diversity-related controversy in your field, consider “teaching the controversy” by assigning multiple perspectives and analyses. Controversial topics can function as good entry points for introducing marginalized authors and perspectives. If you take this route, be sure to review our Inclusive Teaching Resources and the Identifying and Addressing “Hot Moments” and Attending to Intent and Impact to facilitate difficult conversations.