and Better Schools Implicit Bias, Social Work Ethics, · We need to be leaders in our schools. We...
Transcript of and Better Schools Implicit Bias, Social Work Ethics, · We need to be leaders in our schools. We...
Every man has reminiscences which he would not tell
to everyone but only his friends. He has other matters
in his mind which he would not reveal even to his
friends, but only to himself, and that in secret. But
there are other things which as man is afraid to tell
even to himself, and every decent man has a number
of such things stored away in his mind.
--Fyodor Dostovyevsky
Implicit Bias, Social Work Ethics, and Better Schools
KELLY DAHL, LMSW - <11.8.18> - <MASSW State conference>
Kelly Dahl, LMSW
AB Elementary Education, University of Michigan
Master of Social Work, University of Michigan
44 Year Old White Woman
Wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend
Social Worker, ally, advocate
A flawed person with biases
Why did I start asking these questions?
What can you expect from this talk?
1. A better understanding of implicit bias.2. Statistics related to education in Michigan.3. A review of our Social Work Ethics.4. What we can do.
ACTIVITY
Who do you admire and love?
We can create a positive implicit bias.
What is implicit bias?
01
Implicit Bias
Also known as implicit social cognition, implicit bias refers to the attitudes or
stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an
unconscious manner. These biases, which encompass both favorable and
unfavorable assessments, are activated involuntarily and without an individual’s
awareness or intentional control. Residing deep in the subconscious, these
biases are different from known biases that individuals may choose to conceal
for the purposes of social and/or political correctness. Rather, implicit biases
are not accessible through introspection. -- From the Kirwan Institute
Implicit Bias is
01 02 03
Not conscious
Not impactedby education level
Not only directed towards differences
Project Implicit
Project Implicit is a non-profit organization and international collaboration
between researchers who are interested in implicit social cognition - thoughts
and feelings outside of conscious awareness and control. The goal of the
organization is to educate the public about hidden biases and to provide a
“virtual laboratory” for collecting data on the Internet.
-- www.projectimplicit.net --
ACTIVITY
What phrases do you hear in your schools that show implicit or explicit bias?
What do you say in response?
What do you wish you could say?
What does this mean for Michigan Schools?
02
One of Every Three Michigan Students Are Children of Color (2017-2018)
Michigan Teachers Are Not as Diverse as Their Students (2017-2018)
90% of Teachers are White
80% of Administrators are White
Percentage of MI Students Who Are Economically Disadvantaged (2017-2018)
8 out of 10 African American students live in families with low incomes or other major risk factors
3 out of 4 Latinx students
2018 M-Step Results - 3rd Grade ELA Proficient
44% of All Students
38% of Native American Students
64% of Asian Students
19% of African American Students
33% of Hispanic Students
44% Two or More Races
52% of White Students
activity
How do these statistics make you feel?
How do you make sense of these statistics?
Do you think that there is anything the students are doing that contributes to these statistics? Families are doing? Teachers are doing? Administrators are doing?
Discussion
Does this study change your perspective?Are you familiar with your school’s data?
Social Work Code of Ethics
03
service
Value Service
Ethical Principle Social workers' primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Value Social Justice
Ethical Principle Social workers challenge social injustice.
DIGNITY AND WORTH OF THE PERSON
Value Dignity and worth of the person
Ethical Principle Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.
IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Value Importance of human relationships
Ethical Principle Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships.
Integrity
Value Integrity
Ethical Principle Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.
Competence
Value Competence
Ethical Principle Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.
Activity
What would you say/do? With student? Teacher? Parent? administration?Come up with a planSupport your plan with our Social Work Ethics
ServiceSocial JusticeDignity and worth of the personImportance of human relationshipsIntegrityCompetence
Social Work Code of Ethics
Discussion
How feasible are these plans?
What can we do to change implicit bias
04
What does the research tell us?
Positive images make a difference
Successful Businessman Charles Manson
Positive role models make a bigger difference
President Obama Neil Degrasse Tyson
Direct experience with people of color in positions of power and influence.
Cornel West Thylias Moss
Putting the research into practice.
1. Increase Awareness
Implicit biases become a problem when we’re not aware of
their impact on other people. And if we’re part of a majority
group with more social, economic, or political power than a
minority one, then accumulated unconscious bias can be
extremely destructive, limiting the life opportunities and
hurting the well-being of the minority group.
1. Increase Awareness
When we realize we are biased, we can pause and question if a decision is being affected by our bias.
2. Increase Empathy
The easiest way to increase empathy is to strengthen your relationships
01 02 03
Askquestions
Show interest and acceptance
Listen without judgement
3. Develop Friendships
...with people who are different than you.
Differences including:
race, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, socioeconomic status, education level, gender, ethnicity
...and talk about the differences!
4. Practice Mindfulness and Compassion
Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.
--Jon Kabat-Zinn
4. Practice Mindfulness and Compassion
10% Happier Podcast and App
Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness
Insight Timer
Headspace
Calm
5. Self Care
Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue are real
Simple self care is the most important
Sleep
Nutrition
Exercise
Spirituality
Family & Friendships
ClosingThoughts
We need to be leaders in our schools. We need to do work that upholds our social work ethics. We need to help all students achieve success, because they are our future leaders.
We also need to focus on strengths. This can increase our positive regard for all students, and for all people.
Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we are all in this together.
--Brené Brown
Thank you.KELLY DAHL, LMSW - <11.8.18> - <massw state conference>
SourcesBanaji, Mahzarin R., & Greenwald, Anthony G. (2016). Blind Spot; Hidden Biases of Good People. New York: Bantam Books.
Brown, Austin Channing. (2018). I’m Still Here; Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. New York: Penguin Random House LLC.
Einhorn, Erin. (2018, October 9). Michigan students of color more likely to struggle, less likely to have teachers who look like them. Retrieved from http://www.chalkbeat.org.
Oluo, Ijeoma. (2018). So You Want to Talk About Race. New York: Seal Press.
Silverthorn, Michelle Sharpe. (2018, June 11). ‘Implicit Bias’: The problem and how to interrupt it. Plus, the beads test. Retrieved from http://www.chicagotribune.com.
Sorenson, Pat. (2018, October 2). Race, place and policy matter in education. Retrieved from http://www.mlpp.org.
Sources continuedSteele, Claude M. (2010). Whistling Vivaldi; How stereotypes affect us and what we can do. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Turner, Cory. (2016, September 28). Bias Isn’t Just a Police Problem, It’s a Preschool Problem. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org.
http://datacenter.kidscount.org/MI
http://www.mischooldata.org
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/brief/212727/bryan-stevenson
http://www.projectimplicit.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucEAcIMkS0c