Empowering Educators

First Book is thrilled to present a series of resources designed to support educators in helping their students engage in effective, courageous conversations about race and social justice. Explore the Empowering Educators Toolbox below for free resources created in response to educator needs and informed by leading anti-bias, antiracist (ABAR) experts.

This toolbox is designed to help you:

Promote awareness, respect, and empathy for different lived experiences.
Help students develop understanding and respect for racial differences.
Encourage students to reflect on their own lived experiences and shape positive identities.
Facilitate conversations about equity/inequity and current events.

Talking about race is important because:

Everyone has a racial identity.
Race has a major impact on a person's life.
Race is a defining social construct of American life.
The majority of U.S classrooms are diverse.

This toolbox is
designed to help you:

Promote awareness, respect, and empathy for different lived experiences.
Help students develop understanding and respect for racial differences.
Encourage students to reflect on their own lived experiences and shape positive identities.
Facilitate conversations about equity/inequity and current events.

Talking about race is important because:

Everyone has a racial identity.
Race has a major impact on a person's life.
Race is a defining social construct of American life.
The majority of U.S classrooms are diverse.

Guidebook on Race & Racism

Want to talk about race but not sure where to start? This expert-informed, introductory guidebook is designed to help educators do the work needed to feel empowered and have courageous conversations with learners of all ages.

Guidebook on Race & Racism

Challenging Conversations about Race & Racism

Finding the right words to talk about race and racism can be challenging. This guide explains how to facilitate productive, respectful conversations and includes scripts, conversation starters, and debriefing strategies.

Challenging Conversations about Race & Racism

Click to download the Teaching Strategies and Lesson Plans resource.

Teaching Strategies & Lesson Plans

This resource offers best-practice guidance about using news articles and videos to spark and enhance race-related discussions and also includes writing prompts and lesson plans related to race and identity.

Teaching Strategies &
Lesson Plans

Click to download the Our Favorite Tools and Resources guide.

Our Favorite Tools & Resources

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite resources and influencers so you can stay current on ABAR strategies and issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our Favorite Tools & Resources

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite resources and influencers so you can stay current on ABAR strategies and issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Digital Series on Race & Racism

In this two-part series of videos, subject matter experts and practicing educators offer actionable advice and encouragement for having effective conversations about race with all students. They model how to incorporate anti-bias, antiracist (ABAR) teaching into everything you do and provide recommendations for age-appropriate conversations, as well as considerations for students who need accommodations.

Part 1:

Leading anti-bias, antiracist (ABAR) educators dive deep into ABAR theories and model examples of how to put them into practice.

Click to watch Part 2 of the Digital Series on Race and Racism on YouTube.

Part 1:

Leading anti-bias, antiracist (ABAR) educators dive deep into ABAR theories and model examples of how to put them into practice.

Digital Series on
Race & Racism

Looking for Even More?

Visit our Diversity & Inclusion category to find books to help you diversify your classroom or program library and boost your students' self-esteem and empathy.