After telling the Charter School Commission in an exculpatory statement that it is in "full compliance" with the state's divisive concepts ban in K-12 schools, Birmingham's Magic City Acceptance Academy (MCAA) continues to facilitate training for its faculty from DEI training organizations.
Last year, MCAA faced scrutiny from the Alabama Public Charter School Commission after several reports that it had been skirting state law prohibiting certain teachings in public schools.
SEE: Alabama's LGBTQ+ Charter School openly defies DEI ban
In response to 1819 News reporting and questions by state lawmakers, MCAA made several changes to its public documents and social media, removing certain language related to divisive concepts and DEI.
Despite the cosmetic changes and the removal of certain terms to align the school with the commission's requirements, MCAA continues to appear to remain true to its progressive principles.
Part of that continued dedication is evident by the partnership between MCAA and Restore More, an organization with "social emotional empowerment" as a core value.
According to its website, Restore More is designed to "help organizations build capacity with Restorative Practices, Anti-Racism, Teacher Wellness, and Social-emotional Health. We create curriculum and workshops for teachers, leaders, and parents. Our vision is to teach people how to unpack their emotions, giving voice to the tough stuff to be their healthiest selves."
In a workshop with MCAA titled "From Harm to Healing: Addressing Bias and Discrimination with Restorative Action," MCAA's unique faculty can be seen engaging with one another as part of the workshop.
Afterward, one teacher reportedly stated, "I really enjoyed the practical use for these strategies and the ways I can use them in my classroom."
Another said, "Scripting difficult conversations ahead of time is more beneficial than I thought — the specific responses help build muscle memory for when triggering incidents occur."
Restore More also sells a so-called anti-racism circle kit, which "will help any school tackle tough talks about equity & race. Topics Include: Getting Back to School, Mental Wellness in Tough Times, Celebrating Diversity, Unconscious Bias, Discrimination, Acknowledging Privilege, Race & Media, Police Brutality, Being an Ally, Cultural Relevance/Celebrating Blackness, and Becoming Anti-Racist.
Restore More is led by CEO Claudine Miles, who is "certified in Diversity & Inclusion Training" and states that Restore More's "central mission" is to "continue sharing wellness strategies nationwide to uplift communities of color."
In its post, Restore More thanked Quineshia Evans for the invite and Superintendent Dr. Patton Barrett Furman for "championing this continued partnership."
Evans, the mental health coordinator at MCAA, is also part of the leadership infrastructure of the School Social Work Association of Alabama, a membership organization of school social workers in the state.
Evans is slated to present a continuing education unit for Alabama social workers. In the course, "participants distinguish between legal requirements, school policies, and professional ethical responsibilities," the course description reads.
"Together, we'll examine common ethical challenges involving confidentiality, informed consent, mandated reporting, professional boundaries, and collaboration with students, families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams. Participants will also have an opportunity to reflect on the role of personal values and implicit bias in ethical decision-making and consider ways to promote equitable outcomes for all students."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
