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Ohio's public schools serve 1.6 million children - 90 percent of students in the state! What happens in the classroom has impacts far beyond the walls of the K-12 school building or higher ed lecture hall. So, on behalf of the 120,000 members of the Ohio Education Association, we're taking a deeper dive into some of the many education issues facing our students, educators, and communities. Originally launched in 2021 as Education Matters, Public Education Matters is your source for insightful conversations with the people who shape the education landscape in Ohio. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on Public Education Matters? Email us at educationmatters@ohea.org
Intro 0:07
This is Education Matters, brought to you by the Ohio Education Association.
Katie Olmsted 0:15
Welcome back to Education Matters. I'm Katie Olmsted, and I'm part of the communications team for the Ohio Education Association, and the 120,000 public school teachers and education professionals OEA represents across the state. Our public schools are stronger because of the beautiful diversity of the students they serve. Students of all races, backgrounds, abilities, and religions. And it is absolutely critical that educators are empowered to provide culturally responsive education in inclusive learning environments for all, so all students can learn, grow and thrive. Unfortunately, when it comes to serving Muslim students in Ohio, many educators are a little unsure of where to begin. That's why the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, has launched a new website to support educators in that journey. It offers a number of tools and resources to help educators expand their knowledge and understanding of different cultures, traditions and perspectives to better serve their Muslim students - things like a carefully curated book list, a guide to Islamic religious practices for educators, and even a toolkit that centers around learning more about the holy month of Ramadan, specifically. But that's just the start. CAIR-Ohio is asking Ohio educators to weigh in, as the educator resource page continues to grow. Amina Barhumi, the executive director for the Council on American Islamic-Relations' Ohio chapter for the Columbus and Cincinnati regions tells us why.
Katie Olmsted 2:03
Amina Barhumi, thank you so much for joining us for this episode of the podcast. Really exciting resources that you have just rolled out to help educators around the state. What can you tell me about that project?
Amina Barhumi 2:17
These resources have been a few years in the making. And they evolved from our going into either classrooms as an organization or providing trainings around supporting Muslim students in public schools, and hearing from teachers over and over again and educators over and over again, say, Do you have a list of books that you can provide us that we could read in the classroom to prompt conversation and create a sense of belonging for our students? And really understanding that it is through these conversations and the stories that oftentimes those connections are made. And lo and behold, we asked everywhere, and there didn't seem to be a list that anyone was compiling. We saw a lot of smaller lists, but no one list really for educators to be able to fall back on. And that's really where it started from.
Katie Olmsted 3:19
And, you know, that's right in our wheelhouse as OEA. Diverse literature is something we care very deeply about. CAIR-Ohio just partnered with OEA and the Hilliard Education Association on the Summer Celebration of Diverse Readers event to get diverse books into the hands of kids around the community, because we believe in the power of diverse literature. Why is that something that's important to CAIR-Ohio?
Amina Barhumi 3:46
That's a great question. What a fun event. It's important for many reasons. As a civil rights and advocacy organization, I would be remiss to not recognize that Muslim students, in some data points, are twice as likely to be bullied or harassed in school just for being Muslim. And we recognize that this happens, oftentimes, because there's a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding of what it means to be Muslim, and that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination absolutely exists. But what we also recognize and we've also seen is that oftentimes, educators really want to do the right thing and want to be responsive for their students. It is unfortunately, both in the current climate that we find ourselves in where there's fears around doing the right thing and doing it wrong, in a way that may be offensive or or there's implications to going the extra mile, but most importantly, what we found and as I, you know, started our conversation, it's that there aren't really a lot of resources or they're hard to find. And so what we're trying to do here is curate and also hear from educators about what else that they need. In no way is our educators resource page page, you know, an exhaustive list of resources or an exhaustive list of books. The hope here is to get input from educators and parents and students themselves about what else should be included here. And the hope is to, you know, continuously update the page. I do want to mention, just because oftentimes, there's an assumption about who American Muslims are, or, you know, what does a Muslim look like. And I'd say, you know, the most the American Muslim faith group is, data tells us that is the most most diverse, racially and ethnically, faith group in the United States. And what that means is that there's a whole array and plethora of rich stories, even within the Muslim community and rich experiences. And what we have tried to do in this initial list that we've rolled out, is to be able to showcase that and be able to have either students or folks in the Muslim community to be able to recognize that they see themselves in some of these stories. And if there's anything that's missing, we're more than, you know, happy to be able to include additional books and resources.
Katie Olmsted 6:27
And I think that idea of seeing yourself in the literature is so important for all children. We know that children have the potential to create lifelong love of learning when they see themselves in what they're learning. We also know that it's important that kids see themselves in the classroom as well. Would you like to see more Muslim educators in Ohio and across the country?
Amina Barhumi 6:52
Oh, absolutely. I think we do see a lot of educators heading into this space. I think, you know, and I'll add, it's, it's not an easy feat to feel very comfortable, oftentimes to teach in the public school system. Only because oftentimes, even a school district may not know exactly how to support a Muslim teacher in our current environment. And so I say that not sort of, philosophically, I say that practically, because we've had teachers who are entering into the public school system that are visible, and, you know, we're lucky amongst a few, you know, school districts here in central Ohio, or, or places sort of in more metropolitan areas, in which there's more diversity, whether that be amongst educators and students, but in some school districts where there is that diversity does not necessarily exist, we've had educators who have challenged their superintendents, when being hired to ask, you know, tell me how you all will support me, in this current climate and environment, if there is a parent that says, I don't want her or, you know, or him as a teacher, because, you know, they look a certain way, or they dress a certain way, which somehow implies something? And so these are sort of some of the questions and support that we offer to community members as an organization, navigating this complex space, in a very - We're in a, you know - Ohio is very multiracial, multicultural, but oftentimes, like you mentioned, in particular career paths, and in particular public spaces, we don't find enough representation. And I think I commend school districts that recognize this as a gap, and are looking to respond to that and a way to ensure that, you know, or see it as a really sort of positive way to be able to move the needle on ensuring that their entire district, their entire building, and that their teachers are, you know, reflected, culturally reflected and students can see sort of educators that you know, look like them, but even more so educators, being able to have those tools, right, that they need in the classroom, that they are asking for, to be able to be the best and most effective teacher that they could be.
Katie Olmsted 9:43
And let's be clear, it is very important for students to see educators who look like them. It's also very important for students to see educators who don't look like them.
Amina Barhumi 9:52
Absolutely.
Katie Olmsted 9:53
It is so important for students to see themselves in the books they're reading, and it is just as important for them to see the whole world around them in a new light. And I have to say, I'm not an educator, but I, you know, was browsing the Educators rResource page, and I downloaded the educators guide to Islamic religious practices, because I want to know. I want to be able to understand, and I want to be able to interact in the world around me in a more inclusive way. Take that into the classroom where I think those interactions are that much more important because we have to create safe, welcoming environments where every child can thrive - No exceptions.
Amina Barhumi 10:36
Absolutely, absolutely. We have a verse in the Quran that many traditionally, you know, many Muslims sort of use oftentimes in interfaith or you know, public spaces to describe how, you know, you know, that basically, in the Quran, it's, 'We created you" - God is saying, "We created you from nations and tribes so that you may know one another." So that you may know one another. And really, that's really the objective is how do we get to know one another? What's really exciting, too, that's on this page, I would say, is a new bill that was introduced. It's called Educating for Ohio's future. We're one of the coalition partners with OPAWL. And basically, this would be an update to the Social Studies curriculum in Ohio. It wouldn't change any sort of Revised Code, but what's really great about it is that it doesn't only - I mean, it includes Asian American Pacific Islander communities, folks from the African American communities, Arab, North African refugee, asylee communities, but also Appalachian communities, Jewish communities, Latin communities, and Native American communities recognizing that in Ohio, we have a richness to who we are. And as you mentioned, ensuring that that is trickled in into the classroom, allows students to widen, right, like their lens that they see from. You know, oftentimes, folks share, like if you want to grow and widen the lens that you see from travel, right, travel the world. And you know, not everyone has the privilege to be able to travel the world, certainly not when you are young. But really seeing it as sort of like this growth opportunity within the classroom to hear stories and have these conversations about folks who have different experiences, lived experiences that they can share. There's a lot of beauty in that. And that's, and that's really, you know, what we intend to support is in line with that effort.
Katie Olmsted 12:41
I can tell you, from my perspective, my family is Jewish and the social studies curriculum when I was growing up, I just remember what I was reading in the textbooks being like, that's, that's not right. That's, this was clearly written by somebody who has no interaction with a real life Jew. And I can imagine there's probably a fair amount of that in any education that's out there right now, about the Muslim community.
Amina Barhumi 13:05
Oh, I don't even know where to get started on, on responding to that. I worked as a youth director before my position. And you know, some of the stories that were shared, were very jarring with me. I think at best it oftentimes, Muslim students, like other minority students find themselves in a position where they are burdened with the need to explain geopolitics, complicated geopolitics, that most adults can't wrap their head around. And, or, or respond to, you know, questions that are already mired in layers of stereotypes to begin with. And it really leaves students feeling very frustrated, and then either reserved from really participating in class because no one wants to stand out. And no one wants to hold that responsibility. And then oftentimes, all the way like the spectrum of, you know, some of you know what Muslim students as well, like will, you know, deal with - and, again, when I say Muslim students, I'm also referring to minority students, in general - is that oftentimes, you know, this creates sort of an atmosphere where students don't know who to go to, right? Like if and sometimes teachers may not be intentional about about sort of the questions that they ask, it really comes from a place of just not knowing or a place of ignorance. But, you know, this is one of the reasons why when there are resources, it's much easier to like, have those conversations to fall back on facilitating a conversation, right, where your starting point is a story. Your starting point is a place of humaness, which is really important versus oftentimes what's assumed, or misconstrued or misunderstood or misinformed. And that becomes a much more difficult place to start a conversation. I contend it's a non starter, right, like, have a conversation then? And, yeah, so. So I would say, absolutely, you know, thank you for sharing. Thank you for sharing your lived experience. I think that, you know, we're all here to learn from each other.
Katie Olmsted 15:37
And I think this Educator Resource page, especially with the very accessible books that are there - I was browsing through the titles, and I'm, you know, making my shopping list for what I'm going to get and read with my own kids. Because I think this really is an empowering experience for so many people to have a resource in your hand that is that starting point.
Amina Barhumi 15:58
Yes! I would also say, you know, interestingly enough, I received a question yesterday around like, is this resource page as a response to something?
Katie Olmsted 16:12
Is it? That's a great question.
Amina Barhumi 16:13
And, you know, and I understand what's implied by that question. I will say a few things. So on this list, we do have, you know, a few books that are actually on band lists across the country, which is, I think -
Katie Olmsted 16:27
it's an audio-only podcast, so people can't see me rolling my eyes back into my head about this, but go ahead.
Amina Barhumi 16:34
And just, you know, kind of describes the environment in which, you know, we currently live in. I think that the timing couldn't be more impeccable. But but it wasn't time to necessarily respond to all that I think we as an organization recognized the importance of this way back, when we started the initiative, or, you know, began to intend to roll this out. This was about, you know, two years ago. And it's just we wanted to be able to make sure that we got the methodology right, we wanted to make sure that we had answers to folks, and we don't really go with things publicly until we're absolutely certain. And it just seemed like the right time with the multiracial curriculum rollout in the Ohio Statehouse, too, as well. It just felt like an exciting time and the right time to be able to share it out. And, you know, for in, particularly in Muslim tradition, where we recognize the importance of, even as parents, to be able to raise empowered young kids, to be able to, as educators, raise critical thinkers, it is very unfortunate, I would say the kind of language that's being used around books, you know, which, which, you know, it's just unfortunate. I don't know how else to describe my reaction to all this. But you know, I say this to say, you were sharing about how empowering it is. And I feel as though there's a lot of talk about what we shouldn't have, or pointing fingers about what's not right, right? And I would say, what we absolutely should be doing is empowering our educators, empowering our students, empowering our parents with lived experiences, so that way they are equipped to make, you know, their choices about how to move forward with that information. But yeah, so I agree with you. The empowerment is, I think, a very, very powerful thing. And, you know, we can't escape the fact and put our heads heads in the sand, that we live in a global community, even here in Ohio.
Katie Olmsted 19:00
Especially here in Ohio.
Amina Barhumi 19:01
Especially here in Ohio. And, and we need to be able to raise our kids and our students to be prepared for that, to be prepared for the real world. Or else we are, we are cutting short any opportunities that they have, when they are choosing career paths, when they are needing to interact with others as they go into colleges. This idea of censoring or excluding is not a healthy one in which, you know, we believe is good for our communities here in Ohio, and across the United States.
Katie Olmsted 19:46
In the last couple of seconds we have here, I know the Resource Page is new, but what has the reaction been so far?
Amina Barhumi 19:55
I think it's been pretty positive. I think I think we were really spot on. We've had reactions both from the Muslim community and those, those educators or those in the sort of education space, so even like librarians sort of respond to be like, Oh, this is so fabulous! Oh, my gosh, we've been waiting for something like this! Um, and even folks from across the United States, so even just outside of Ohio. So it's really great to see, I think the response has been great. And here's how others can help is, you know, let us know - click on the link that says, on the page, to suggest, you know, resources or additional titles, but even shoot us an email to be like, Well, here's an idea. What do you all think? We're more than happy, we have a few other resources that we typically roll out even about, like having conversations. For like an educator toolkit, we use the Family and Youth Institute, one around the time of the commemoration of 9/11, just to be able to equip either teachers, parents and students, but we think that additional toolkits like that, and additional resources would be helpful. And so keep checking in over the next few weeks and couple, you know, couple and several months, we'll keep adding to that list and adding to this page.
Katie Olmsted 21:17
And I have to say one of the things I love most about this storyline is what I'm hearing from you is there was no resource there. And instead of waiting around, and instead of saying who's going to fix this? You said, Okay, we will you saw a problem. And you saw the solution in yourselves and I love that. Thank you so much.
Amina Barhumi 21:37
Oh, absolutely. It's our pleasure. It's our pleasure.
Katie Olmsted 21:40
Amina Barhumi, thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts, and to share this really important resource with Ohio's educators.
Amina Barhumi 21:48
Thank you so much for having me, Katie. It was great to speak with you.
Katie Olmsted 21:53
If you'd like to check out the CAIR-Ohio educator resource page, you can find the link in the show notes for this episode. And while you're there, make sure you subscribe to Education Matters wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode in the future. Season 3 of Education Matters is winding down as we head into summer break, with only one more new episode coming next week, but we are already looking ahead to Season 4. And if you have ideas about topics you'd like to hear about, please send me an email at educationmatters@ohea.org Until next time, stay well.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai