TCNJ welcomed Dr. April Baker-Bell for a workshop entitled “Linguistic Justice: Toward an Antiracist Black Language Pedagogy. The workshop was attended by Dr. Baker-Bell led over 200 participants in interactive workshops that provided context and history related to Black Language as well as opening up discussions about the ways schools and classrooms are contributing to linguistic racism through assumptions and policies of language use in K-12 settings. Participants were teacher candidates from TCNJ, in-service teachers, supervisors, and educators from New Jersey school districts. They were coached through a series of exercises designed to help them gain a deeper knowledge of their own linguistic assumptions and begin to think about how they might transform their classrooms into spaces that recognize and affirm the power and linguistic richness of Black Language. Multiple TCNJ departments collaborated to bring Dr. Baker – Bell to campus, including the Literacy Advancement Project and Special Education, Language and Literacy.
TCNJ’s Literacy Advancement Project provides support for students, families, and educators to enhance the literacy development and success of all students. We offer support through:
- Professional Development for educators
- Comprehensive Assessment Services for children and adults
- Tutoring that utilizes a variety of instructional approaches