Kids, Books & Anti-Racism Series: Chris Hass

Chris Hass

Chris Hass is a second and third grade teacher at the Center for Inquiry in Columbia, South Carolina. He also serves as an adjunct professor for the University of South Carolina. In his twenty years as an educator he has taught in a variety of settings while presenting at all levels on the importance of integrating social justice teaching into our everyday practices. Chris is also the co-founder of the Equity thru Education Collaborative, a diverse coalition of educators, parents, and community leaders working together to support justice-oriented education in their local schools. In addition, he is a committed advocate for public education, teacher autonomy, and education as a means of creating a more just society.

Chris’ new book, Social Justice Talk, details how classroom teachers can facilitate rich discussions that disrupt the harmful social beliefs and practices they and their students are immersed in every day. This work grows out of his research into: (1) the specific ways elementary-aged students create meaning around issues of difference, inequity and injustice, (2) the tensions students experience when engaged in critical discourse, and (3) the role classroom teachers play in knowledge production in the social justice classroom. Chris is also a model teacher for the Center for the Education and Equity of African American Students (CEEAAS). A cadre of classroom teachers committed to success with African American students, their role is to provide demonstration classrooms rooted in culturally relevant and antiracism practices, present at conferences, and create curriculum to be shared with teachers across the country and world.

Chris is most proud of the advocacy work he sees his second and third grade students engage in each year – from speaking at school board meetings about the need for greater funding for school libraries to providing a formal presentation to the City Council about the need for greater representation of women on city landmarks and street signs. Chris is inspired by his students’ passion and professionalism and enjoys every opportunity to share their work with others, knowing these powerful kids can serve as inspiration to make us all into the teachers our students and communities need most.

This workshop is part of a larger series designed to deepen your understanding of how to cultivate anti-bias and anti-racist practices in classrooms and schools. You may register for this individual workshop or all of the series.

Kids, Books & Anti-Racism Series

Friday, March 18, 2022
From Talk to Action: Supporting Students to Become Real Agents of Change  with Chris Hass
This event has passed.

Friday, May 6, 2022
Cultivating Genius and Joy in Education through Culturally and Historically Responsive Pedagogies  with Gholdy Muhammad
This event has passed.

July 18 – 21, 2022 (Summer Literacy Institute)
Bringing Antibias and Antiracist Practices to Life in Classrooms and School Communities featuring Liz Kleinrock
This event has passed.

Click here for the complete Kids, Books & Anti-Racism series.

Transition from In-Person to Virtual:

In-person training is currently available to a limited number of participants and you may choose that option. Should any of the conditions change and it is determined the training can be offered online only, you will be notified as soon as possible.

At this point in time, participants who have opted to come to Lesley University for the in-person format of professional learning must be prepared to follow Lesley University’s protocols (click for more information). Check this page for the most up-to-date information about safety protocols before you arrive and during your time on-campus.

Cancellation Deadline & Refund Policies

You must cancel in writing two weeks before the start of the event to get a refund, minus a $50 processing fee. Email CRRLC@lesley.edu to cancel. Regardless of conditions, if the event is held but you cannot attend, you will be billed for the full amount.

Registration Deadline

The registration portal closes two business days before the first day of training to allow the minimum amount of time to ship training materials.

If you register within two weeks before the registration portal closes, you may incur additional fees for expedited shipping. You may still experience delays in receiving your materials.

Independent Learning Policy & Recordings

This full-day workshop will be recorded. Participants have 30 days to access and watch the recording. Due to the workshop’s interactive structure, we highly recommend that registrants participate live on March 18, 2022.

The registrant agrees to access the live session and/or recording for the purpose of independent learning. Access to the live session and/or recording is restricted to the registrant and may not be accessed in a group setting.

Certificates of Attendance

Only registered participants will receive a certificate of attendance for their participation by completing an insight form, which will be provided to participants at the end of the event. Please allow our team at least 1 week to process your certificate.