Years ago, I was exposed to non-verbal communication as an undergraduate majoring in communications. I was hooked. The same was true with cultural anthropology, then and now. These interests have made me a ‘people watcher’. I am especially observant when Blacks of any age (P-12; higher education) speak to White educators and audiences. Questions abound – what does that expression mean? Is that a smile or a smirk? What does that eye roll mean? Why is his/her/their arms folded? What does the shaking of the head mean? And more. I once heard the phrase: “The mouth is smiling, but the eyes are not”. This phrase is my barometer when making classroom observations of White teachers/faculty with Black students and others who are being marginalized. It helps me to gauge their authenticity and expectations.
With virtual teaching, visual teaching and non-verbal messages are even more pronounced. Children can now see more when it comes to expressions; non-verbal messages are front and center. Why does non-verbal messages/communication matter? It sets the tone for expectations, belonging, relationships, and student performance. The majority of communication is non-verbal rather than verbal. What is said can be less important to students than how it is said. Is the teacher smiling, frowning, or smirking when talking to them? “You did well on the assignment” can be said with a smile to one student and begrudgingly to another student; the latter is often Black. Students can quickly tell who is viewed as the teacher’s pet versus teacher’s pest. It does not have to be stated by teachers; students can see it. They take this personally and may be bullied for being one or the other. Non-verbal communication is by no means a trivial matter, especially during virtual teaching, and is a fundamental part of the hidden curriculum.
Due to racial injustices – profiling in society and in schools – Black caregivers are obligated to train our children to be hyper-observant of their surroundings, and strangers and foes when driving, walking, playing, shopping, dining… in all situations. #OurChildrenAreWatching. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a physical reprieve from deficit thinking and alienation in a brick-and-mortar setting, but not visually during online teaching where visuals dominate. #OurChildrenAreWatching.
Below are four frameworks for educators to consider if they are want to be effective professionals of Black students. These are followed by recommendations.
Field Dependent Cognitive Style – Field dependent learners are those who depend extensively on the environment (e.g., classroom setting) for a sense of belonging. When they feel welcomed, when relationships are positive, they feel more engaged and affirmed. The reverse is so when they feel invalidated, unwelcome, alienated, an outsider, and disliked. In terms of culture, studies and theories, and my own lived experiences demonstrate that Black students tend to be ‘harmonious’ – we prefer to be in sync with the environment. This preference or desire does not stop during school hours. I urge educators to get to know which students are more field dependent than independent, and to reach out more to them as one way to improve their schooling experiences. For the record, I believe that all students should be treated as field dependent learners. #RelationshipsAreImportant
Rosenthal’s 4-Factor Theory is useful in helping teachers reflect on the tone they set in their classrooms overall and for individual students. Rosenthal’s theory identifies four factors that work together to form a teacher’s disposition/expectations toward student(s): (Rosenthal, R., & Jacobson, L. (1968). Pygmalion in the classroom: Teacher expectation and pupils’ intellectual development. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston)
I urge educators to explore, for reflection purposes and journeying toward cultural competence, anti-racist education, and high expectations for Black students:
