Faculty Book Club

FACULTY BOOK CLUB Reflections

By Hayley Brantley Middle School History Teacher & Service Learning Coordinator

One of the things I tell my students often in my U.S. us to learn more about the topics of racism, antiracism, and History classes is that I’m always hoping to learn our role as educators and learners. more, from them and with them. This summer, as I watched our country grapple with issues of race, At the core of all of this is how we as faculty and systemic racism, and who we’ve been, who we are, staff can better serve all of our students. With and who we are becoming as a nation related to that in mind, we chose three books that we felt race issues, I found myself returning to this might help us in that mission. The first was want—and need—to learn more. As I read New Kid, a graphic novel by Jerry Craft that articles, looked at social media posts, and recently won both the Newbery Medal and the listened to the words of activists, it was clear Coretta Scott King author award. Written with to me how little I knew and how much I needed middle-grade readers in mind, it tells the story to learn in order to be a better person, mother, and of Jordan Banks, a black seventh-grade boy who teacher. I also knew that learning and accountability is the new kid at an elite private school. Our second happen best in a community. So I sought out my community book was Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a at Ensworth, beginning with my friends and colleagues in the Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey. Our final book Middle School history department. of the summer was Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You Ruby Cortner and Maurice Hopkins (a long w ith new members, but “We’re all being called Our conversations in these weekly longtime friends, Dean Schneider and Tim Wallace) have embraced and invited a culture in our department of to listen, learn, and reflect right now, and meetings were rich, thoughtprovoking, and vulnerable. What they show me most is that the faculty questioning, growth, and learning. As I’m so thankful for and staff at Ensworth care about we shared our thoughts and feelings about the events in our country this summer, I asked them if they thought the community at Ensworth that has learning, growth, and, most of all, our students. We’re all being called to listen, learn, and reflect right now, a book club for our larger faculty on the answered that call and I’m so thankful for the community topics of race, racism, and antiracism through this book club.” at Ensworth that has answered that might be helpful for all of us as we call through this book club. I’m also live out our Mission as a school to incredibly thankful for the work of seek truth, embrace curiosity, and strive to be communityMaurice Hopkins. His honesty, generosity of time and spirit, building. With their encouragement, Maurice’s generous offer and his vulnerability make me better, and I’m proud and to co-facilitate with me, and David Braemer’s wholehearted honored to work alongside him in the history department and endorsement of the project, we set out to grow and learn in crafting this book club. together. Over 60 members of the faculty and staff have joined by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues around this important topic. ‘Raising White Kids’ is such an informative and empowering book. One of the biggest takeaways for me is the importance of engaging with young children about difference and injustice. Older philosophies encouraged color-blindness and celebration of diversity but failed to address the realities of race and injustice. The author provides specific strategies to help adults navigate conversations with children. I feel optimistic about our faculty’s willingness to learn and to work together on behalf of our students.”

—Whitney Earhart, Grade 4 Teacher

“With so much uncertainty going on in the world right now, to get a phone call from Hayley with the opportunity to have some open and honest conversation was quite refreshing. Her idea of starting a book club open to Ensworth staff and faculty offered a safe space for us all to react, reflect, and respond to issues concerning race relations within our school community.”

—Maurice Hopkins, MS History teacher

“As teachers, we are called to lead and facilitate the growth of our students and school community. Self-leadership and personal growth precede this calling, and this book club has provided an opportunity for all of us to examine our individual racial development. The readings and conversation have been transformative, and I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of this work within the Ensworth community from the seeds we are sowing within ourselves.”

—Ross Lyons, HS Science Teacher

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect with colleagues from all three divisions to discuss this topic that is important to all of us as teachers but also as human beings. By starting an honest dialogue together, we will be better able to support our students of all ages because we can also support each other. Hayley and Maurice have brought us together at a time when we need each other more than ever, and I am excited about the ideas and commitments that will come out of this experience and propel Ensworth forward.”