“Help! My teacher is racist”: Strategies for broaching race with teachers during school counselor–teacher consultations

Abstract

AbstractIt is not uncommon to hear students of color refer to a teacher as “racist.” Research suggests that teachers perceive, evaluate, and treat students differently based on race, which students often notice. School counselors, with their consistent interaction with students and teachers, are often well‐positioned to recognize the subtle (or overt) signs of teacher racial bias against students of color. Once bias is identified, school counselors have both an ethical and professional responsibility to intervene. We argue that one way to address teacher bias is by engaging in race‐conscious consultations with teachers. This article provides guidance for school counselors on how to broach racial concerns with teachers during consultations. It also includes sample prompts and scripts to support school counselors in initiating conversations on race. Implications for school counseling practice and research are discussed.