Who are Social Equity Educators (SEE)?

The rank-and-file caucus of the Seattle Education Association, known as Social Equity Educators, advocates for democratic, anti-racist, and anti-oppression practices in our communities, schools, and classrooms. By forming coalitions and tackling the causes of institutional racism and other kinds of injustice, SEE participates in local, national, and worldwide social movements for freedom and radical change.

Learn About the Points of Equity

SEE Points of Unity

Prioritizing Equity

This organization supports creating a union that is led by educators and community partners' ideas and bottom-up organizing efforts, that encourages the elected leadership's openness and accountability, and that bargains for the rights of educators, students, and communities. If a contract is created and approved through democratic, open procedures including teachers, parents, students, and community supporters, SEE believes it will encourage equity. SEE thinks that educator organizing and bargaining should support a democratically created vision for the schools that every student deserves, including objectives like excellent learning environments, anti-racist pedagogies and practices, and competitive pay that enables Seattle to draw in and keep strong educators and professionals who support students.

Anti-racist, anti-oppression pedagogy & practices

SEE thinks that every student has a right to a curriculum that addresses and challenges racism and other kinds of oppression, as well as represents the needs and aspirations of their community. All students have the right to learn about their own and their classmates' cultures, as well as to talk about and take action in response to the injustices that influence their daily lives. All pupils also have the right to a comprehensive education that incorporates the arts, experiential learning, libraries, and civic involvement in addition to a solid education in the fundamental disciplines. Additionally, believing that educators have a duty to promote these rights, create curriculum and practices that reflect them, and fight against racism and other kinds of oppression inside educational institutions.

Supporting social movements through community alliances:

Through partnerships with local partners including parents, students, progressive education community activists, and other labor movement organizations, SEE believes in promoting social movements for equality in schools and society. With the use of democratic procedures, open communication, and powerful coalitions, SEE wants to build these relationships. By assisting fights that are led and directed by the communities SEE serves and strive to redress disparities in education and society.


Funding for equitable public education:

SEE supports fully supporting public schools so that all pupils may attend them. The Basic Education Funding Act has been found to be violated by Washington State in court. As educators in Seattle, SEE is aware of the racism in the legislature's unwillingness to adequately support schools, which disproportionately affects schools serving underprivileged and kids of color. In order to ensure fiscal parity amongst school districts, urging that the state properly finance schools.


Opposing corporate education reform:

SEE rejects market-based strategies, corporate education reform, and the privatization of public schools, as well as measures like charter schools, rigorous assessments, merit pay, blended and online learning, and school closures and turnarounds. We think that these policies try to constrain teaching and learning through culturally biased, undemocratic standards and high-stakes exams, quantifying and commercializing student learning and teacher practice. We also think that these methods deplete public schools of finances that are sorely needed while taking time away from high-quality, comprehensive instruction. Additionally, SEE thinks that these policies favor corporate reformers while imposing a vision for public education that undercuts and disregards the cultural assets, knowledge, and perspectives of local residents, educators, parents, and children.