The Innocent Classroom: Dismantling Racial Bias to Support Students of Color

by Alexs D. Pate

When children of color enter their classrooms each year, many often encounter low expectations, disconnection, and other barriers to their success. In The Innocent Classroom, Alexs Pate traces the roots of these disparities to pervasive negative stereotypes, which children are made aware of before they even walk through the school door. The cumulative weight of these stereotypes eventually takes shape as guilt, which inhibits students' engagement, learning, and relationships and hurts their prospects for the future.

If guilt is the primary barrier for children of color in the classroom, then the solution, according to Pate, is to create an Innocent Classroom that neutralizes students' guilt and restores their innocence. To do so, readers will embark on a relationship "construction project" in which they will deepen their understanding of how children of color are burdened with guilt; discover students' "good," or the motivation behind their behaviors, and develop strategic responses to that good; and nurture, protect, and advocate for students' innocence.

Ultimately, students will reclaim their innocence and begin to make choices that will lead to their success. Teachers will renew their commitment to their students. And the current ineffective system can give way to one that reflects a more enlightened understanding of who our children are—and what they are capable of.

Genres: Education, Professional Development

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2020

About the author

Alexs pate is an Assistant Professor in African American and African Studies at the University of Minnesota, where he teaches courses in writing and black literature, including a course on “The Poetry of Rap.” He also teaches fiction writing at the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast M.F.A. program in Portland, Maine.

Reviews

[Carlyn Crow · Rating 4 out of 5]

tbh i am just logging the grad school textbook i read from cover to cover just to hit my goodreads goal

(but it was an excellent ed book!)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The center principle of protecting students' innocence in the classroom, particularly students of color, is powerful. It is definitely an essential endeavor for every teacher to embark on with every student, however I felt that this idea was, at times, overshadowed by talking about the Innocent Classroom professional development trainings Pate heads. It felt a little sales-pitchy and repetitive. A lot of great dialogue was included from these trainings, but I found it was often missing how the teachers actually engaged the students' 'good,' which was the part I was most interested in learning about.

[Lisa Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea and concept behind this is fantastic - as a matter of fact I LOVE it. The one caveat I have though is that a lot of what I personally took away is that a teacher/person has to be authentic and real and all the things that make us wonderful human beings.

When a person/teacher has "learned" how to do this, students will pick right up on it faster than you would think. We all know when a friend really cares deeply.

All teachers must CARE deeply about all the students they teach in order to allow them to walk innocently into the classroom and succeed in whatever way that might look to the student.

[Martthew Brandt]

This book is perfect for the times we live in, inspirational and practical. Alexs Pate helps us envision a more equitable, more enlightened, and ultimately a more human classroom and school. One where children of color can be the curious and engaged learners they naturally are. He matches this inspiration with practical and meaningful steps teachers can take immediately. This book makes what seems impossible possible. In that way it is quietly revolutionary for teacher and child - if followed, I believe, it will help create a system in which all children can thrive.

[Jess Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!! Full of practical strategies for building strong and motivating relationships with children in schools. Beautifully written. This isn't just a book about anti-racist teaching, the challenges teachers face, or the challenges our children face - it's a book about how to overcome these challenges. Full of exercises, ideas, and examples. I know I'll be re-reading (and re-reading, and re-reading). Would recommend for everyone in education, and everyone who works with children.

[Stacia Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been through the Innocent Classroom training and fell in love with the concept of finding each individual student's good. I also attended the Innocent Classroom conference and now have read the book. I cannot wait to share this concept with my fellow educators and make my school the best place to work and to learn.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Good charts/figures with examples.

Wish I did this as part of a group PD as I think I would have gotten more out of it discussing with colleagues. Also wish I read this during the school year when I had current students on my mind. Will need to refresh once the new school year gets started.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read that was read for SEED. A great read for educators looking to help find the good in their students. Great discussions after reading this and lots of great ideas to help find the good in my students

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Imagine that you could liberate children of color from negative narratives, stereotypes, and low expectations…Imagine them as free, if only for the hours of the school day, of the negative ideas and expectations they know exist around and about them.”

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A singular voice on race, education, and justice in America.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A singular voice on race, education, and justice in America.

[Caitlin Litz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding the good

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be on every educator's to read list!