The Future is Ours: Womanist Praxis for Racially Just Tutoring by Zandra L. Jordan https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w Want to dialogue with others? Share and respond to reflections on the tutoring scenarios. en-us 2021-06-17 10:10:57 UTC 2026-03-12 04:51:48 UTC hello@padlet.com drbellantioch https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612535716 Recognize that their educational trauma is real, that they have been made to feel inadequate; apologize for the teachers who have created a system where their words and ideas are devalued; ask them how I can help them feel that their writing has merit; ask them to tell me about their ideas in the paper; engage genuinely with them in conversation; talk about linguistic choices and goals for the paper/class/professor; offer an open door, open mind, and a willingness to learn from their experiences to help them have a more positive engagement with the writing center

]]> 2021-06-17 15:42:46 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612535716 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612535757 I think I'd start by asking them why they feel that way.

]]> 2021-06-17 15:42:48 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612535757 I learned about Padlet from you in another workshop https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612535779 2021-06-17 15:42:48 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612535779 By making sure students feel confident about their contributions. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536098 Encouraging them to see the excellent content that already exists in their work]]> 2021-06-17 15:42:57 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536098 Listen https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536101 2021-06-17 15:42:57 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536101 Upacking https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536114 I would ask "why is that?" so we can begin to unpack what they mean when they say "bad at writing." Where does this trauma come from? Who told them this, and why? Who are they comparing themselves to, and how has that comparison been rooted in anti-Blackness or anti-womanhood, and how can we move the needle on their confidence? ]]> 2021-06-17 15:42:57 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536114 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536129 Affirm that writing is hard, We feel vulnerable. 

]]> 2021-06-17 15:42:58 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536129 praise https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536242 2021-06-17 15:43:02 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536242 Explicitly Address It https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536565 Our tutors need to explicitly acknowledge the harmful messages that our higher education institutions send about Black Language and in extension Blackness itself. We need to openly say that those messages are wrong and not accepted in our writing center. Whenever it's relevant, we need to say it over and over.]]> 2021-06-17 15:43:13 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536565 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536913 Connect first. The student needs to have an authentic connection with a helping person. It's important to establish a space of trust. The tutor should first just listen to the student's experiences to determine what the basis is for the student's lack of confidence. Everything good begins by listening. ]]> 2021-06-17 15:43:24 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612536913 Ask if any element of writing--or expression--has made them feel empowered and go from there. Have a conversation. Be non-judgemental and empathetic. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537061 2021-06-17 15:43:28 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537061 decenter whiteness and give orature (rap, dance,riddles, calls responses, music etc...) equal value https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537146


]]> 2021-06-17 15:43:31 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537146 Definitely a good time to not jump into the text immediately. Welcome the writer. Tell them you're glad they're here and then listen to them talk about why they feel that way and past experiences with writing. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537287 2021-06-17 15:43:36 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537287 Reframe https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537421 I sometimes explain to students/tutors that not all teachers are good at teaching writing and try to open up the possibility that that/those teacher/s were just wrong. There's an attempt to complicate that authority of the teacher.

]]> 2021-06-17 15:43:40 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537421 what I would say https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537678 "Thank you for sharing your work with me - it takes courage to share writing because it can be so personal. I'm not sure who told you you're not good at it, but let's take a look together. Is there anything you're especially interested in ]]> 2021-06-17 15:43:48 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537678 Agree that writing is hard. Agree that in school we are often told that the way we write is not appropriate or not good. Affirm that our writing center respects all ways of writing.Then talk about the paper--without looking at the draft--first. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537768 2021-06-17 15:43:51 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537768 respectful, thoughtful Questions and then listen https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537922 Listening is key... affirmation is key

]]> 2021-06-17 15:43:56 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612537922 Reframe & review https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612538080 One of my tutors has a great approach, to begin by saying, "what if we imagine language that doesn't include good or bad, or judgements. Can you tell me more about your writing experiences?"

]]> 2021-06-17 15:44:01 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612538080 help them know what our writing center does: follow their lead. What are their goals? What do they want? offer some possible (stage-based) goals and dig deeper to see how they feel about their class, their faculty, their writing in general. If it goes to the place of "not a good writer" help them think through examples of when they are fabulous writers. Then tell them we can help th em write in whatever style they want to--we don't work for the faculty ;) But it's always their choice https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612538531 2021-06-17 15:44:16 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612538531 Letting them know what they have in their work is not wrong, and providing asking questions that invites them to consider how they want to move forward with writing. Considering their responses in revisions and work. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612538992 2021-06-17 15:44:27 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612538992 Thank them for sharing that. It's not easy to admit to our (perceived) flaws. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539010 2021-06-17 15:44:28 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539010 Recognize the vulnerability in them showing up and sharing https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539072 Thank them for coming to the writing center. Ask if they're up for talking more about that feeling. If so, listen to understand. Respond by acknowledging the pain and trauma they have expressed. ]]> 2021-06-17 15:44:30 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539072 Promote Existing Ways of Knowing and Speaking ruizirisd https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539076 2021-06-17 15:44:30 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539076 WCAs https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539090 As administrators, we need to be having these conversations with other institutional stakeholders so we don't build up students in our writing center only to see that work not supported in other contexts: classrooms, programs, other campus partners]]> 2021-06-17 15:44:30 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539090 I ask them about here relationship/ history with writing. I then affirm that everyone is a shitty writer and that we all benefit from feedback. then i move on to affirm the beauty in our black ness, culture and language. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539128 2021-06-17 15:44:32 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539128 provide multiple means of epxression. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539895 2021-06-17 15:44:51 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612539895 Let students drive the class https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540009 Bringing in the whole student approach as noted -- not just working with who students are in the classroom but who they are in their lives

]]> 2021-06-17 15:44:55 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540009 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540018 Advocate for the students who are docked points for having "grammatically incorrect" writing or writing that doesn't fit the stands of SWE. ]]> 2021-06-17 15:44:55 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540018 I would point out the things that are “good” about her paper, helping her realize she may be a “good” writer. But also challenging the thought of what it means to be a “good writer” b/c there are many definitions of that https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540151 2021-06-17 15:44:58 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540151 Give students space to talk about their relationship with language and institutional expectations. Support their decisions. Reach out to colleagues to advocate for recognition of all students' right to their language and challenge so-called "standards" https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540742 2021-06-17 15:45:15 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540742 Ask them why they feel that way and what experiences fueled their opinion of themselves. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540924 2021-06-17 15:45:20 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612540924 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612541214 keep learning, honoring different Englishes, means of expression.]]> 2021-06-17 15:45:29 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612541214 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612541363 Welcome them to the writing center first, affirm their decision to come to the center, and let them know that the center is a place for them to realize their own writing goals. Learn more about the context and the student. Hold space for their experience.]]> 2021-06-17 15:45:34 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612541363 take a moment to imagine audiences together - what if they choose to write to/ with someone who they trust and want to explore ideas with? https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612541367 2021-06-17 15:45:34 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612541367 Young Black Women Built Our Language! https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612541981 Remind them that the majority of linguistic change comes from young Black Women-- this is a documented FACT. She is part of a group of people who are builders of language. She built this thing. It's hers.

]]> 2021-06-17 15:45:52 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612541981 Sharing https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612542112 I try to share writers who make these moves in their own work (I'm thinking hooks, Lorde) and show them that breaking the rules can be done.

]]> 2021-06-17 15:45:56 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612542112 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612542235 Work with tutors to help them develop critical skills to identify the white supremacist linguistic expectations at our institution. Support tutors as they support students and each other and advocate for themselves. ]]> 2021-06-17 15:45:59 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612542235 Highlighting other Black writers and speakers and uplifting their contributions. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612542875 2021-06-17 15:46:15 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612542875 Share that I often feel the same way. Connect on that experiential level when you can. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612542897 2021-06-17 15:46:15 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612542897 As a Teacher jansrog6 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612543124 I no longer have my courses dediciated specifically for English Learners, so I try to collaborate often with the Writing Studio professionals - staff, student tutors, teachers alike.  

]]> 2021-06-17 15:46:22 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612543124 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612543153 definitely engage in conversation, be supportive, encouraging, break down academic writing as one type of writing/communication, build on what they come with both in terms of ideas and language/communication skills

]]> 2021-06-17 15:46:23 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612543153 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612543518 Ask about their intent and what they are trying  get across. Try to find ways to affirm those rhetorical features in more effective stylistic ways.

]]> 2021-06-17 15:46:35 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612543518 Tutor Education https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612544427 I get very explicit with it in training and we look both at anti-racist practices in concert with whiteliness. (I am a white woman WCD, so I have to address my whiteness.)

]]> 2021-06-17 15:47:01 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612544427 Con https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612545771 2021-06-17 15:47:45 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612545771 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612546283 Focus on the student a human, as a person
, clarity of ideas, Relying on students lived and disciplinary perspectives and expertise's.

]]> 2021-06-17 15:47:58 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612546283 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612555641 I'd gently disagree with them and say that I believe they have a powerful voice. Then, I'd ask them to read their paper aloud, starting taking notes on all the amazing things I'm hearing and reading, and have a discussion with them on what they've created.]]> 2021-06-17 15:52:39 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612555641 tell them https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612556345 tell students what you dont know, what you wish you knew more about. and that you hope this relationship involve everyone acting as teachers/learners

]]> 2021-06-17 15:52:56 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612556345 Empower choices https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612561726 At my school, this could lead to a grade deduction for this student. I would hope that the tutor would be an ally and support the student, while spelling out the possible consequences of choosing a different style of presenting. If I were asked, I would encourage the student to reach out to the professor and describe what s/he wants to do and why. That way the professor will at least have to be aware of his or her bias if they give a grade deduction. 

]]> 2021-06-17 15:55:20 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612561726 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612563808 First, I'd go over the prompt/rubric with them, then we'd start brainstorming different expressions for how they'd like to present their speech. After our session, I'll connect them to other tutors and faculty I know would be able to help, then do additional research on resources that I could send to them afterwards.]]> 2021-06-17 15:56:09 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612563808 Be the Example https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612564609 Offer to allow your work to be an example of diverse methods to approach the assignment?

]]> 2021-06-17 15:56:30 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612564609 Encourage advocacy https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612564938 but... with my support. Encourage students to have conversations with their professors. I tell students to practice what they would say to/ask their professors. I even tell them to let the profs know that I personally encouraged them, so they know they have someone supporting that effort. I am willing to risk the potential phone call or email from the profs... it's a chance to start a conversation, even if it begins in a bit of a hostile way  ]]> 2021-06-17 15:56:39 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612564938 Help them https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612565230 2021-06-17 15:56:45 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612565230 drbellantioch https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612566049 Open a discussion of what the. models/examples show; ask the student what they would do differently; affirm that the student's ideas and voice are valid and BELONG in the conversation; ask the student what other messages they've received through class discussions (implicitly/explicitly). Have them record themselves doing their presentation EXACTLY as they would like, then ask them where their concerns are; actively listen and reflect back the ideas that are coming through

]]> 2021-06-17 15:57:06 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612566049 Suggest they write an "author's note" for their faculty explaining why they are doing their work in this way and offer to assist with that note https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612566180 2021-06-17 15:57:10 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612566180 Outcomes focus https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612567369 Work with them to review the assignment description and outcomes/requirements then talk about how to achieve that in the style they are pursuing]]> 2021-06-17 15:57:45 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612567369 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612584664 Don't tutor students' grammar or language.... Ask them what THEY would like help with. Prioritize their arguments, expressions, and experiences rather than the technicality of SWE. And if they want to focus on grammar and spelling, pay attention to the context of their writing i.e. essay, poetry, etc. to see how their grammar choices add meaning to their work. ]]> 2021-06-17 16:06:19 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612584664 Acknowledge it https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612586361 Acknowledge the power structures implicit in academic writing. Encourage our tutors to be self-aware. Reflective training. Research and listening. Forming allyships and partnerships with other groups on campus.

]]> 2021-06-17 16:07:02 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612586361 drbellantioch https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612586978 Acknowledge that many of our consultants have benefitted from their own engagement in these WSLI; change our hiring practices to move away from writing samples; collaborate with our students to write antiracist statements for the center (living documents); give students resources/scholarship from underrepresented scholars; ask consultants to think about what they're elevating in sessions; open a pathway for students to report faculty who engage in oppressive, racist behaviors, then elevate those concerns to DEI deans to hold faculty accountable; hold myself accountable for learning, changing, being proactive

]]> 2021-06-17 16:07:18 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612586978 https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612587869 Perhaps acknowledging in some of our written materials that academic English is a construct and no more worthy than other kinds of Englishes. 

]]> 2021-06-17 16:07:43 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612587869 find the faculty across the university who are open to breaking away from dominant language ideologies and make sure people know they're out there -- start to dismantle the idea that all professors are protecting the status quo https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612588852 2021-06-17 16:08:15 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612588852 Recognition of World Englishes or Global Englishes. https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612589592 2021-06-17 16:08:30 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612589592 Role Models https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612589878 This chat is inspiring me to consider putting images of a variety of role models on the walls of our Writing Center and talking about our choice to do that in our tutoring onboarding training--that we have writing role models that have broken rules and made change, have been subversive, and have made change by choosing rhetorics that are "expected" as well. ]]> 2021-06-17 16:08:40 UTC https://padlet.com/zljordan/pwhnsox57xp3lp1w/wish/1612589878