As debates over history, literature, and ethnic studies intensify in the United States, Black teachers increasingly face institutional barriers to teaching the humanities in meaningful and culturally sustaining ways. While prior research has focused largely on public and charter schools, far less is known about how Black educators work within Black-led independent schools—institutions historically rooted in self-determination and community autonomy. This presentation draws on a Spencer Foundation–funded qualitative multi-case study of two contemporary Black-led independent schools to examine how Black humanities teachers design, interpret, and enact curriculum amid ongoing attacks on Black knowledge. Data sources include classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with teachers, families, and board members, instructional artifacts, and student focus groups using photo-elicitation methods. Preliminary findings suggest that Black teachers in these settings experience greater pedagogical freedom to center Black history, civic engagement, and cultural critique, while aligning instruction with community-defined educational aims. These teachers function not merely as implementers of curriculum, but as intellectual stewards shaping how Black youth understand race, citizenship, and belonging. By centering teachers’ practices within autonomous Black institutions, this study contributes to international conversations on educational sovereignty, culturally relevant pedagogy, and the protection of the humanities in politically contested contexts.

Authors:
Daniel Thomas III, Texas A&M University, United States
Langston Clark, University of Texas at San Antonio, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Langston Clark is a Professor and Chair of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching at UTSA’s College of Education and Human Development. He is the Luther Brown Endowed Fellow and a scholar focused on Physical Education, teaching, and learning.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-thomas-9170b1306/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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