Roberto Germán [00:00:01]:
Welcome to Our Classroom. In this space, we talk about education, which is inclusive of but not limited to what happens in schools. Education is taking place whenever and wherever we are willing to learn. I am your host, Roberto Germán, and Our Classroom is officially in session. Welcome back to Our Classroom. Over the last few episodes, not the past three, but prior to that, was talking about pushback. And in part one, we talked about leading with curiosity. In part two, we talked about what not to do.
Roberto Germán [00:00:48]:
And then in part three, we walked through what to do. So today I want to make it real, because pushback doesn't show up as a concept. It shows up in emails and meetings and comments in hallway conversations. So in this episode, I want to walk through a few scenarios educators face and what it can look like to respond with clarity, not reaction. So check it. You get an email. I'm concerned about the content you're teaching. It feels political and inappropriate for the classroom.
Roberto Germán [00:01:37]:
Immediate reaction. Defend, explain. Correct. But let's slow it down. What not to do. Write a long emotional response. Try to win an argument. Assume bad intent.
Roberto Germán [00:01:56]:
What it can look like. Thank you for reaching out. I appreciate you sharing your concerns. I'd be open to talking more about what specifically felt concerning and sharing the goals behind the lesson. What did we just do? We acknowledged. We stayed grounded, opened dialogue, didn't concede the work. That's leadership. Now, second scenario, you're in a meeting.
Roberto Germán [00:02:37]:
A colleague says, I just think we're over complicating things. Why can't we just stick to the basics? That lands what not to do in that situation, call them out aggressively, shut down the conversation, internalize and stay silent. What it can look like. I hear what you're saying about wanting clarity. I'm wondering what do we consider the basics and who gets centered when we define it that way. Now you've redirected without attacking, asked a thinking question and kept the conversation open. Here's the third scenario. You post something on social media, a comment comes in.
Roberto Germán [00:03:41]:
This is exactly what's wrong with education today. We're very familiar with this. What not to do. Argue publicly over, explain, Take it personally, what it can look like. I appreciate you sharing your perspective. Another option, if that doesn't feel productive to you, is no response. Just. Just don't respond.
Roberto Germán [00:04:18]:
Not every comment is an invitation. Everybody doesn't merit the energy that I have. Everybody doesn't merit a response. Sometimes you got to push some of that away. Remember that. Scenario four, a student says, why do we always have to talk about race? All right, that's A real moment. What not to do? Shut it down, Shame the student. Avoid the conversation.
Roberto Germán [00:04:55]:
What it can look like. That's a fair question. What do you think we notice when we don't talk about race? Lead with curiosity. So now you validated the question, kept the student engaged, redirected toward inquiry. Here's a fifth scenario. This one's quieter. It's you. Maybe I shouldn't have said that.
Roberto Germán [00:05:36]:
Maybe I should just stay quiet next time. What not to do? Shrink, second guess everything. Retreat from the work. What it can look like. Pause, reflect, ask. Was I aligned with my purpose? Did I act with integrity? The answer to those questions is yes. Keep going. Don't stop.
Roberto Germán [00:06:14]:
Press forward, lean in. I want us to consider the patterns across all the scenarios. Notice what's consistent. We are not reacting quickly, trying to win over explaining. We are pausing, clarifying, responding with intention, setting boundaries. What needed. That's the word. It's what it calls for.
Roberto Germán [00:06:56]:
So we're going to keep things simple while stressing the fact that pushback will continue in different forms, in different spaces, at all levels. The question is not how do I avoid it? No, no, no, friends. The question is, who am I when it shows up? Because that's what people experience. Not just your ideas, but your presence. Your presence. Let's continue to teach in truth, lead with courage, belong to a community that gets it. And if you navigate in moments like this and want to keep learning, reflecting and growing with other educators, you don't have to do it alone. You know where to find us.
Roberto Germán [00:07:56]:
You know what we do. So until next time, keep leading, keep loving, keep learning. Jump into the conversation. Not just here on the Our Classroom podcast, but also join us in My Classroom Gold. We have a space for educators to dig deep, to build and to expand. Peace and love. Yours truly. As always, your engagement in our classroom is greatly appreciated.
Roberto Germán [00:08:31]:
Be sure to subscribe, rate the show and write a review. Finally, for resources to help you understand the intersection of race, bias, education in society,
