Educator Sessions
Understanding Racial Trauma: Promoting Healing and Inclusion in NB Schools
This workshop is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and tools to better understand the impact of racial trauma on students and foster a supportive, inclusive learning environment. Participants will explore the ways in which systemic racism, microaggressions, and exclusionary practices affect the mental health and academic performance of racialized students in New Brunswick. Through engaging discussions and practical exercises, educators will learn to recognize signs of racial trauma and gain strategies to create safe, affirming spaces that promote healing and belonging.
REGISTER FOR THE EDUCATOR SESSION HERE.
The session will highlight the importance of culturally responsive teaching and allyship in addressing the unique challenges faced by racialized youth. Educators will discover how to integrate anti-racist practices into their classrooms and school policies, ensuring that all students feel valued and respected. By collaborating with peers and reflecting on their roles as allies, participants will leave with actionable steps to reduce bias, amplify marginalized voices, and foster equity within their schools.
The outcomes of this workshop are transformative. Educators will be empowered to cultivate stronger relationships with racialized students, improving trust and communication. Schools will benefit from reduced instances of racial discrimination and increased student engagement, as students who feel supported are more likely to thrive academically and socially. By promoting healing and inclusion, this workshop contributes to creating a school culture where diversity is celebrated, and every student can succeed.
Key highlights of the workshop include interactive sessions on developing culturally responsive teaching practices, building stronger relationships with students through empathy and understanding, and implementing strategies to create a supportive and inclusive school culture. Participants will engage in practical exercises and group discussions to explore effective ways to support students’ academic and emotional needs. Additionally, the workshop will provide tools for educators to collaborate with families and communities to foster a comprehensive approach to student development.
By the end of the session, educators will be better equipped to advocate for and implement changes that support the well-being and success of all students, ensuring that every child can thrive in a safe and nurturing educational environment.
About the Facilitator
Barbara Roberts MSW RSW, currently owns and operates a small private practise and consultation business called Roberts Wellness Services, She holds a Master of Social Work and is a registered clinical Social Worker for over 12 years. She is also employed at the Nova Scotia Community College as Student Services Advisors and African Canadian Supports, serving several campuses across the province of Nova Scotia. Barbara also co-owns a Jewlery, and accessory business called AfroNova.
Barbara’s undergraduate research at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS focussed on the achievement gap that exists amongst African Nova Scotian students in the P-12 system compared to their counterparts. Her master's level research at York University, Toronto, Ontario, was titled The experience of Graduate Students with disabilities in the post-secondary education system in Ontario, Canada.
Some of her other research interests and work include Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work and anti-Black racism curriculum with a concentration on mental health and wellness and achieving an anti-racist society. She is also the Vice -President of the Association of Black Social Workers and is a part of several initiatives within the Department of Justice, Department of Community Services and Service Canada in Nova Scotia with a focus on anti-Black racism. She also leads a variety of community-based initiatives that help foster stronger African Nova Scotian communities across the province of Nova Scotia with a focus on entrepreneurship, mental wellness and education. Barbara is the co-founder, co-chair and Executive member of the Black and African Canadian Student Services Professionals Division of the Atlantic Association of Colleges and Universities. She is also the co-founder of the Archy Beals Legacy Award which has annually provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to African Nova Scotian students at the Nova Scotia Community College.