Interrupting Racism: Equity and Social Justice in School Counseling

by Rebecca Atkins, Alicia Oglesby

Interrupting Racism provides school counselors with a brief overview of racial equity in schools and practical ideas that a school-level practitioner can put into action. The book walks readers through the current state of achievement gap and racial equity in schools and looks at issues around intention, action, white privilege, and implicit bias. Later chapters include interrupting racism case studies and stories from school counselors about incorporating stakeholders into the work of racial equity. Activities, lessons, and action plans promote self-reflection, staff-reflection, and student-reflection and encourage school counselors to drive systemic change for students through advocacy, collaboration, and leadership.

Genres: Counselling, Nonfiction, Education, Social Justice

180 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2018

About the author

Rebecca served as an elementary counselor for 12 years and currently has the pleasure of working with over 500 counselors in one of the largest school districts in the country.

Along the way, she found her true passion in working for equity for all students and wrote a book, Interrupting Racism: Equity and Social Justice in School Counseling with co-author Alicia Oglesby. She spend most of her free time writing blog posts and speaking about data, comprehensive school counseling, and equity.

She shares her organization tools, lessons, and ideas on her blog, Counselor Up, with all you need to recreate on your own. She is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences and has published on the topics of transition and equity.

Reviews

[Savanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for current and future School Counselors

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Lancaster County School Counselor Book Study. Great book, stimulated great conversation. Recommend for any educator.

[Clarissa Rudolph-Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just completed this book. I am an elementary school counselor, and I belong to a book club in my district. We have been discussing the contents of this book, and it has opened conversations that we may otherwise never discuss. There is great information about how we marginalize students and it gives practical ideas how to treat students equitably. One of my favorite chapters is a reflection of our own belief systems and biases. I am a baby boomer and have always been an advocate for students. This book reinforces everything I have been taught. My cousin was a Civil Rights Attorney, and when I was a little girl, he asked me what this meant: "Silence is Golden and Speech is Silver." My five year old mind answered with a question, "That I should remain silent?" He said, "Never! Gold and Silver are both worth something..." After that, I became an advocate for marginalized students, like myself. Bravo to the authors!! It took me back in time and brought me to the future. We still need to do so much more to be the change we wish to see in this world and "interrupt racism" with our voices.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say this book is more of a 3.5 than a three, but we know that’s not an option.

A great look at the history of school counseling and how it is historically a position that reinforced racism….and how our profession has evolved to fight racism.

There are broad strokes of lesson plans (but they are not very specific). The lesson plans stem from k-12 and I think could be a great for a vertical team to tackle (to make sure lessons were done every year). In discussing with other counselors we thought maybe they would be easier lessons in small groups than the large classrooms (40+ students) we are currently working with…but appreciate the crosswalking of the standards for us!

Very well researched. And lots of other book recommendations for use with students, teachers or other counselors.

It was a little disconnected for me that it was written by two authors and lots of mentions of “I” without specifying which author was writing. Just a stylistic thing for me.

[Dii · Rating 5 out of 5]

All educators should not let the words “school counselor” in the title of the book deter you from reading. It’s useful for anyone involved in the education of children. The authors do a great job at summarizing important history of education, providing activities for personal work, offering resources and many places to start the work of equity and combating racism in school systems.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of the ASCA U Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist training. This was so insightful and had a TON of great ideas. I appreciate while that it gave me guidance for transforming my school counseling program, it wasn't just another a workbook and actually provided me with some concrete evidence and examples for moving forward.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible and I know it will be a resource I continue to turn to in my school counseling program. It has so many practical ideas and tips to use to work on social justice for your students, staff, and community. The authors are both very accessible and willing to help as well.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

So amazing to actually read a book by school counselors, for school counselors. It's so rare to find literature, speakers, and professional development that specifically relates to school counseling. This book felt like I was finally being understood!

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars only because it was geared more toward secondary counselors. The elementary lesson plans are great, I just wish there were more examples and scenarios that were applicable to elementary counselors.

[Robin McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the lists of interventions outlined to teach students about empathy and racism. This was a really good read and I’m glad I have this information.

[Shayla Pambrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking, but heavy intellectual/wordy read

[Madeline Singleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

practical strategies for school counselors

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for an ASCAU course for work. Very clear and specific information that can be applied as a school counselor and educator.

[Alexandria Parisian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much - raised so much discussion and conversation amongst peers.