5 Steps a Teacher Can Take to Address Racial Bias in Schools

Racial bias in schools is a pressing issue that affects students’ emotional well-being, academic performance, and sense of belonging. Teachers play a crucial role in creating inclusive classrooms where all students feel valued and respected. Whether implicit or explicit, racial bias can manifest in curriculum choices, disciplinary practices, classroom interactions, and peer relationships.

By taking proactive steps, educators can foster an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. Here are five essential steps teachers can take to address racial bias in schools.

Step 1: Recognize and Address Personal Bias

The first step in addressing racial bias is self-reflection. Educators must examine their own implicit biases, which are unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can affect their interactions with students. Research shows that implicit biases can influence how teachers discipline students, grade work, and form expectations.

✔️ Action Steps:

• Take an implicit bias test, such as Harvard’s Implicit Association Test (IAT), to uncover unconscious biases.
• Reflect on how race has shaped your personal experiences and teaching practices.
• Engage in professional development on culturally responsive teaching and anti-racist education.
• Be open to feedback from students, colleagues, and families regarding your classroom practices.

By increasing self-awareness, teachers can interrupt bias-driven behaviors and make more intentional, inclusive decisions in the classroom.

Step 2: Foster Open Discussions About Race and Bias

Many educators avoid talking about race because they fear saying the wrong thing or making students uncomfortable. However, silence allows bias to persist. Creating a classroom culture where students can discuss race helps break down stereotypes and build understanding.

✔️ Action Steps:

• Normalize conversations about race by incorporating diverse books, history, and perspectives into daily lessons.
• Establish classroom norms for discussing difficult topics with respect and empathy.
• Use age-appropriate discussion prompts, such as:
  • “What does fairness mean to you?”
  • “Why do people have different skin colors?”
  • “How can we stand up for classmates who are treated unfairly?”
• Encourage students to share their experiences and listen actively to one another.

By having open and honest discussions, students develop critical thinking skills and learn to challenge bias when they see it.

Step 3: Diversify Curriculum and Classroom Materials

Many school curricula focus primarily on Eurocentric perspectives, leaving out the contributions of diverse racial and ethnic groups. This can reinforce harmful stereotypes and make students of color feel invisible.

✔️ Action Steps:

• Integrate diverse voices into the curriculum by including books, art, music, and historical accounts from Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other underrepresented communities.
• Move beyond tokenism—rather than focusing on race only during heritage months, make diversity a year-round priority.
• Analyze your classroom posters, books, and visuals—do they reflect a broad range of cultures and identities?
• Use inclusive language in assignments and avoid reinforcing stereotypes in classroom discussions.

By expanding representation, teachers help all students see themselves reflected in their education.

Step 4: Respond Immediately to Racist Incidents

Whether it’s a racial slur, a stereotype, or exclusionary behavior, racial bias should never go unchecked. A school culture that ignores microaggressions and discrimination sends the message that such behaviors are acceptable.

✔️ Action Steps:

• Address incidents immediately by speaking up and explaining why the behavior is harmful.
• If a student makes a racist comment, use it as a teachable moment rather than just punishing them. For example:
  • Instead of “That’s inappropriate,” say, “That comment reinforces a harmful stereotype. Let’s talk about why that’s not okay.”
• Offer support to students who experience racism. Validate their feelings and discuss next steps with school counselors or administrators if necessary.

Creating a zero-tolerance policy for racism and ensuring consistent responses will foster a safer and more inclusive school environment.

Step 5: Advocate for Systemic Change

While individual actions are important, systemic change is necessary to dismantle racial bias in education. Teachers have the power to challenge school policies and advocate for equitable practices.

✔️ Action Steps:

• Review school discipline data—are students of color disproportionately punished? If so, advocate for bias training for teachers.
• Push for more diverse hiring practices to ensure students see teachers and administrators who reflect their backgrounds.
• Work with families and community organizations to build culturally responsive school programs.
• Encourage administrators to provide ongoing professional development in anti-racism, equity, and trauma-informed teaching.

By advocating for policy changes at the school and district level, teachers help create lasting equity in education.

Final Thoughts

Addressing racial bias in schools requires intentionality, courage, and continuous learning. Teachers who take these five steps—recognizing bias, fostering discussions, diversifying curriculum, responding to incidents, and advocating for change—help create safe, inclusive, and equitable classrooms for all students.

💡 Next Steps:
🔹 Enroll in anti-racism training programs to strengthen your skills.
🔹 Connect with colleagues and school leaders to implement systemic change.
🔹 Reflect on your teaching practices and commit to ongoing growth.

By taking action, teachers empower the next generation to build a world where every student is seen, heard, and valued.

Dr. Derrick Campbell

CEO

moreinfo@quarantineracism.com