Season 7 Episode #17 Uncover Your Unconscious Bias: A Self-Reflection Exercise"

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Ever caught yourself making a snap judgment about someone without realizing it? That's unconscious bias at work, and it shapes everything from our teaching practices to our everyday interactions. As educators, these hidden biases can profoundly impact who we trust, how we grade, and even how we discipline students.

In this deeply reflective episode, I introduce myself in a new light—as an author currently publishing my debut novel, "Uncover Your Unconscious Bias"—while guiding you through the essential work of bias awareness. I share the Mirror Moment exercise, a powerful self-reflection tool that asks thought-provoking questions about your comfort zones, leadership perceptions, and reactions when your biases are challenged. This isn't about inducing guilt but fostering genuine growth.

Beyond self-reflection, we explore practical strategies for classroom implementation: challenging stereotypes in lesson plans, examining representation in classroom visuals, and developing the courage to interrupt bias in real-time. I also highlight additional resources, including my weekly blog, the Inclusive Educator newsletter, and specialized courses on Code Switching 101 and Being an Active Ally. These tools are designed to meet you where you are on your journey toward cultural competence.

Remember, awareness leads to action, and action leads to equity. You've already taken the first step by listening. Now, take the free unconscious bias quiz linked in the show notes, sign up for the newsletter to receive your complimentary Mirror Moment PDF, and join me in the ongoing work of creating truly inclusive learning environments. Stay intentional, stay inspired, and most importantly, stay inclusive.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, hey, friends, welcome back to the Cultural
Curriculum Chat.
I'm your host, jeba Edmonds,educator, dei consultant and
your go-to guide for creatinginclusive classrooms and
communities.
And another new multi-hyphenatething to add to my repertoire
author.

(00:20):
Yes, your girl is in theprocess of publishing her debut
novel, so stay tuned.
Make sure you sign up for ourinclusive educator newsletter
where I will give you all thedetails of my new book uncover

(00:40):
your unconscious bias, and we'regoing to do a self-reflection
exercise.
But before we dig in, I've gota quick question for you.
Have you ever made a snapjudgment about someone and
didn't even realize it untillater?
You're not alone, and that'sexactly what we're exploring
today, because here's the truthwe all have biases, but

(01:03):
awareness.
That's where the real changebegins.
So stick with me because I willwalk you through a powerful
self-reflection exercise and afree quiz you heard it free that
you can use today to startunpacking those hidden biases.
The link is waiting for you inthe show notes, so let's get

(01:25):
into it.
So what is unconscious bias?
Unconscious bias is theautomatic mental shortcuts we
take, shaped by our background,our experiences and our culture,
that influence how we perceiveothers.
These biases can show up in whowe trust, who we hire who and

(01:47):
how we grade and even how wediscipline our students.
This doesn't make you a badperson.
It makes you human.
But just because it's naturaldoesn't mean it shouldn't go
unchecked.
I always say you need to checkand correct your unconscious
biases.
If we're not aware of ourbiases, we risk reinforcing

(02:12):
stereotypes, especially in theclassroom or our workplace, and
that's why doing this kind ofself-reflection is oh so
critical.
We're going to do the mirrorexercise.
This is an exercise that I'veused with my clients and this
has worked so well for havingthat self-reflective piece.

(02:35):
You know, as educators and aspeople in the professional world
, we always want to do better,and this exercise will help you
along this journey, so I'mcalling it the mirror moment.
All right, you can do it with anotebook, make a voice memo or
even use your favoritejournaling app.
So I want you to ask yourselfthe following questions who do I

(02:59):
feel most comfortable aroundand why?
When I think about leadership,what image comes to mind?
Have I ever made assumptionsabout someone based on how they
look, dress or speak?
And the last question when wasthe last time I was challenged

(03:22):
on a bias and how did I reactNow.
This exercise is not aboutguilt, it's about growth, and if
you are ready to go even deeper, I've got a free unconscious
bias quiz just for you.
It's quick, insightful anddesigned to jumpstart your

(03:42):
journey.
You'll find that link right inthe show notes.
Now, after you do this mirrormoment, I also have the mirror
Moment reflective exercise in aPDF that, if you would like to
snag it, you need to sign up formy email newsletter, the

(04:02):
Inclusive Educator, and I'llalso have that free Mirror
Moment PDF by signing up in theshow notes as well.
What's next?
Once you have taken the quizand completed the reflection,
it's time to apply what you'velearned, and I want you to start
small.
Challenge a stereotype that isin your lesson plan.

(04:25):
Examine your classroom visuals.
Who is represented?
Is there things that areaccessible for all?
And I want you to interruptbias in the moment, even if it
feels uncomfortable.
We really need to getcomfortable with being
uncomfortable, speaking up evenwhen your voice shakes, and

(04:46):
having that courage is somethingthat is paramount, especially
in this time that we're livingin Now.
This isn't a one-time fix.
It's a lifelong journey, andremember, every step counts, and
if you're ready to take thenext one.
I want you to follow my blog.
Every week I post newstrategies, educator insights

(05:07):
and real-life stories to helpyou embed cultural competence
into your everyday practice.
So subscribe, share and let'sgrow together.
And if you want to go furtherwith that, I even have the Next
Step courses Code Switching 101and Cultural Competency and

(05:28):
being an Active Ally.
Code Switching 101 is perfecton learning how language and
identity intersect in diversespaces, and that being an active
ally is perfect for educatorsand leaders and anyone who is
ready to create real change.
Both are under two hours,they're on demand and designed
to meet you where you are.

(05:49):
No fluff, just transformationallearning.
Now, when we are talking aboutour own unconscious bias, I want
you to think about in theclassroom who's being left
behind, who's in the subject ofour lesson plan that's being
spotlighted, and what otherperceptions are there.

(06:09):
Are you still doing the firstThanksgiving lesson but not
incorporating the multipleperspectives at that event?
Are you still having oneparticular group that is the
sidekick in your books thatyou're sharing, that is, a
person of color?
Are you not having access forall of your student learners?

(06:31):
Are there ways and furniturepieces that are not conducive to
your learners that have ADHD.
Think of things that can helpyou foster your own cultural
competence within your classroom.
I'll leave you with thisAwareness leads to action and

(06:54):
action leads to equity.
You've already taken this firststep by tuning in, so don't
stop here.
Take the quiz, do thereflection and let's keep doing
the inner work together.
Until next time, I want you tostay intentional, stay inspired
and stay inclusive.
Bye-bye.