Superintendents' Early Childhood Plan
Spring 2021 Professional Development for All Series
Anti-Racist Early Childhood Education: Principles, Practices, and Possibilities
A foundational understanding of anti-racism in relation to teaching, research, and family-centered partnerships is crucial to ensuring equity throughout early childhood environments.

During the spring 2021 Professional Development for All (PD for All) series, principles of anti-racist theory and practice will be discussed, providing educators, researchers, and community members with action-oriented strategies to address inequities and foster authentic and meaningful collaborations in the classroom, research practices, and family partnerships.

Facilitated by Kerry-Ann Escayg in partnership with the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska, the webinars in this progressive learning series are offered at no charge and will feature national and local education experts, as well as local teachers and parents. Attendees are highly encouraged to register for and attend all three sessions.

Early childhood professionals who participate in these webinars are eligible to receive in-service certificates approved by the Nebraska Department of Education.
Webinar 1: What Is Anti-Racism Education?
Featured Presenter: Terry Husband, Ph.D., Illinois State University
Wednesday, March 24
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Recent census data indicate U.S. classrooms continue to become increasingly racially diverse. At the same time, race relations in U.S. society remain tense and problematic. Given these two facts, it is critical for early childhood teachers to teach in ways that recognize, resist, and ultimately reverse racist thinking, policies, and practices in schools and within their broader communities. Anti-racist education is both a philosophical and practical approach that seeks to identify, interrogate, and combat racial injustice in schools and the world. Using principles, practices, and possibilities of anti-racist education, this webinar will provide an overview of the theoretical constructs and traditions associated with anti-racist education and scholarship, define key terms associated with anti-racist education, discuss several reasons why anti-racist education is warranted in schools and classrooms today, and outline a practical and multi-dimensional framework for actualizing anti-racist education.
Webinar 2: Racial Socialization as Resistance to Racism
Featured Presenter: Dalhia Lloyd, M.S., Buffett Early Childhood Institute
Wednesday, April 28
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
When families work to help their children understand race and racism, they are engaging in a process known as racial socialization. To understand how racial socialization can be used as a tool for anti-racism, there is much to learn from families who have been racially marginalized and the lessons they have taught their children. This webinar will explore racial socialization as a vital form of parent involvement and describe strategies that resist and disrupt racism.
Webinar 3: Educators' Reflections on Anti-Racist Teaching
Featured Presenter: Kerry-Ann Escayg, Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Omaha
Wednesday, May 26
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Anti-racist teaching is a continuous process of self-reflection, growth, and development. In this webinar, educators will provide a short narrative of their anti-racist journey. Exploring the personal as well as the professional commitment to anti-racism, educators will discuss not only how their teaching practice has been transformed, but also how their future goals align with an anti-racist school context and U.S. society.
Previous Institutes
Presentations, videos, and resources from past PD for All institutes are available for download. Visit buffettinstitute.nebraska.edu/pd-for-all.
About the Superintendents' Early Childhood Plan
The Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan is a groundbreaking initiative in the metro Omaha area representing an innovative, comprehensive approach to reducing opportunity gaps for children from birth through Grade 3. It is built around intensive, continuous, and evidence-based services for children living in high concentrations of poverty in the metro area. The plan was developed by the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska in partnership with the 11 school districts of the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties. The Buffett Institute continues to facilitate implementation of the plan, which is largely funded by the Learning Community.

The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. The Buffett Institute is an AA/EEO/ADA institution. For questions, accommodations, or assistance, please call/contact the University of Nebraska Chief Compliance Officer (phone: 402.472.8404).