About Us
The Anti-Racist Early Education Network (AREEN) is building a network of schools, early childhood centers, and educators who have a sustained commitment to anti-racist values. Schools from across the nation form partnerships to engage in dialogue and collaborative problem solving at the unique intersection of early childhood education and anti-racism. AREEN works closely with schools to introduce and sustain anti-racist educational practices. When we do this work in dialogue with each other, we are more likely to succeed in creating anti-racist educational spaces for our children.
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If you or your community are interested in being on this journey with us, consider the facilitation and consultation offerings below. If you're looking for a tailor made workshop contact us at info@antiracistece.com.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Ivonne Ortega
Ivonne is an Afro-Puerto Rican Anti-Racist Facilitator, Early Childhood Educator and Leader. For the last 13 years she has worked in the field of early childhood education integrating anti-racist pedagogies into her work with teachers, young children and families. Ivonne holds an M.Ed in Instructional Leadership from Harvard University and a B.A. in Gender Studies and Environmental Studies from Amherst College. She is a trained Raja yoga teacher, and integrates tenets from this practice into everything she does. Her work is rooted in the knowledge that when early childhood educators work to understand and heal their relationships to their own racial identities, they can actively practice models of anti-racism-healing that is palpable to the children they serve.
Our Offerings
AREEN offers workshops, trainings, and consultations to individuals and school based groups who are looking to deepen their anti-racist teaching practice. Email info@antiracistece.com to learn more.
Anti-Racist Leadership Cohort
In this cohort you will begin to develop a personal relationship with anti-racist values, anti-bias education within the context of your community. The cohort is fitting for communities of 12 or less who would like to engage in personal and interpersonal growth and learning.
Tailored Workshops & Trainings
Work with our cofounder to develop a training or workshop specifically for your community.
Curricular Consult
If you’re wondering how to weave anti-racism into your lesson plans or professional development this is for you.
TESTIMONIALS
The session was set up so that people at different steps in their anti-racist processes could participate fully and feel comfortable. Ivonne had a calming effect, which was great given how many people struggle to talk about race, and she balanced steering the conversation with leaving it open to us for discussion.
Workshop Participant
Having a space alongside BIPOC affinity has been huge. Every time we gather it feels like grounding work with the additional piece of getting to know each other. Very transparent way to grow a community. Feels like the start of growing our anti-racist work in the community.
Cohort Participant
I’m beginning to look at my classroom differently. I appreciate the safe place to grow, be honest and direct. I’ve been more thoughtful as a team coordinator. Our room dynamics have changed in a way that’s unexpected-I’ve been doing a lot more reflection based on things we’ve discussed in this cohort. Doing a lot more linking children’s processing/POV to adults processing/POV. Looking at other points of views. Things are spilling out into my work/social/home life.