10 Tips for Supporting Math Education for Black Girls: From Culturally Responsive Lessons to Collaborating with Community Partners
During our recent conversation with Dr. Nicole M. Joseph about her recent book, “Making Black Girls Count in Math”, she discussed the inspiration for her work, her career as a math educator and her advocacy for Black girls to be seen and find joy in math. Also, the power that math has as a tool for Black girls.
The purpose of this post is to provide actionable tips for increasing visibility and promotion of math education to Black girls.
Tips:
Make math practical: Highlight real-world applications of math, and demonstrate how math skills are relevant to daily life.
Implement culturally responsive math education: Incorporate diverse perspectives and cultural references into math lessons, and acknowledge the contributions of Black mathematicians to the field.
Reframe the narrative: Challenge negative stereotypes about Black girls and math ability, and instead emphasize that Black girls are scholars who can excel in any subject.
Encourage math outside of school: Provide resources and opportunities for Black girls to engage with math beyond the classroom, such as math clubs or competitions.
Advocate for Black girls' math education: Speak out against systemic barriers and biases that prevent Black girls from receiving high-quality math education.
Learn math with your children: Parents and caregivers can model a positive attitude towards math, and help their children develop math skills through everyday activities.
Empower Black girls to apply math: Encourage Black girls to see themselves as problem-solvers and critical thinkers, and show them how math can be used to make a positive impact on their communities.
Showcase Black girls' math achievements: Highlight the accomplishments of Black girls in math, and celebrate their successes.
Provide mentorship and support: Connect Black girls with mentors and role models in the math field, and provide resources and support for their math education.
Promote math as a pathway to success: Emphasize the value of math skills in a variety of careers and industries, and encourage Black girls to pursue their passions and interests in math.
Summarize the tips and their importance in promoting math education to Black girls.
Encourage readers to take action and implement these tips in their own lives and communities.
Reference:
Adams-Bass V. & Butler-Barnes, S. (Hosts). (2023. April 3) Making Black Girls Count in Math Education with Dr. Nicole M. Joseph (No. 3) [Audio podcast episode]. Raising Joyful and Resilient Black Children. What is Black. https://www.whatisblack.co/raising-joyful-and-resilient-black-children-podcast
