Challenges with teaching a Social Justice Math Class by Aris Winger

2025-07-23 18:18:43 UTC

Being seen as not understanding the issue due to my white privilege

Speaking intelligently and caringly about a topic that I have never had to experience.

mlevan1 — 2025-07-23 18:18:50 UTC

I don't know enough

2025-07-23 18:18:52 UTC

I don't know enough about the topics, about leading discussions, about dealing with conflict or hard conversations...etc.

2025-07-23 18:19:13 UTC

How to acknowledge and validate when someone shares something deeply personal and know when/how to redirect the conversation

Moderation

2025-07-23 18:19:29 UTC

My classes are all asynch online, so how to moderate discussions when I'm not always "there".

Getting Feedback—

2025-07-23 18:19:30 UTC

If I've made a student feel uncomfortable, I might not hear about it until months later (if at all). Trying to think of ways to encourage and receive feedback from students on my own engagement w/them.

Teaching social justice and math to students who have been the victims of systems of oppression that I have/never have been a victim of.

2025-07-23 18:19:30 UTC

2025-07-23 18:19:31 UTC

I don't want to offend anyone or trigger them unexpectedly

2025-07-23 18:19:35 UTC

Not sufficiently addressing something a student brings up off the cuff, so students misunderstand the issue or my perspective.

putting my foot in my mouth

2025-07-23 18:19:38 UTC

Unknowingly hurting a student by bringing up a topic

mlevan1 — 2025-07-23 18:19:55 UTC

2025-07-23 18:20:14 UTC

Having students debate with me in class and not knowing how to handle it.

What if it goes off the rails?

2025-07-23 18:20:20 UTC

Making the issue even worse.

mlevan1 — 2025-07-23 18:20:35 UTC

A student telling me I have no right to teach this subject with all my privilege.

2025-07-23 18:20:49 UTC

2025-07-23 18:20:57 UTC

How to know when to continue a conversation in class, or direct a student to speak to me privately

Community agreements

2025-07-23 18:21:20 UTC

I have found it hard to get students to engage with the process of creating a community agreement, and it often is just a retread of the items I myself had proposed.

2025-07-23 18:21:45 UTC

How do I get the quiet students to speak up?

What is my role in the discussion?

2025-07-23 18:22:03 UTC

How much is it about content and how much about shining a light on systemic issues? How much is it exploring social justice issues versus using math to uncover it? Do I lead conversation or let the students lead?

2025-07-23 18:22:37 UTC

Start by being transparent, acknowledge our privileges

Timing?

2025-07-23 18:22:47 UTC

When it makes the most sense to bring in a discussion of the SJ topic.

Panic

2025-07-23 18:23:02 UTC

Because I am not qualified does not mean we should ignore an issue

mlevan1 — 2025-07-23 18:23:05 UTC

Upsetting/triggering students. And, selfishly, worried that this will lead to bad evaluations and my job being at risk.

2025-07-23 18:23:11 UTC

Race Labor?

2025-07-23 18:23:16 UTC

I don't want my BIPOC colleagues to have to do all the work

I am white but I do not think in colors.

2025-07-23 18:23:19 UTC

2025-07-23 18:23:21 UTC

I acknowledge that I cannot speak for other people's experiences. I only know my own experiences and perspectives. Hopefully we can all learn together.

2025-07-23 18:23:29 UTC

Admit our inexperience, commit to listening to students with firsthand experience and doing research

2025-07-23 18:23:33 UTC

Respecting students' experience/expertise in discussions, but also emphasizing that it's better to discuss the issue (with respect and empathy) than not discuss it.

2025-07-23 18:23:47 UTC

Having privilege gives me protection that may make it easier for me to talk about sensitive topics without adverse consequences! I'm not an expert but I'm also not as vulnerable to harm.

2025-07-23 18:24:16 UTC

Transparency, bring in other experts, talk about role as math expert, let students bring in expertise (but not require it)

Vibes!

2025-07-23 18:25:05 UTC

I'm looking forward to students working together with some joy! Participating in that enthusiasm that we seek to encourage with this work.

2025-07-23 18:26:23 UTC

How (if) to make space for points of view I find abhorrent, but a student sincerely believes

2025-07-23 18:31:25 UTC

losing control