The Manifestation of Systemic Racism in K-12 Settings: A Case Study of Alberta Teachers

Systemic racism has been an ongoing issue for many education professionals within Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) educational settings. With recent societal discourse including a strong focus on situations such as the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, an increase in Asian hate due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, and recent recoveries of unmarked graves of Indigenous children, education has experienced a shifting and increasing focus on racist actions in Alberta. Research on racism in education often focuses on situations involving children, while overlooking racism between teachers. This research examined teacher perceptions of racism between teachers in K-12 school settings. The primary research question was, in what ways does systemic racism manifest itself between teachers within K-12 educational settings? The sub questions to support the main research question included: How is racism experienced by teachers within K-12 educational settings? What recommendations do K-12 educators have for uncovering and reducing systemic racism in the K-12 school setting? This qualitative case study used interview, member-checking, and document checking with a five current K-12 teachers in an urban K-12 school district. Data were analyzed using member-checking, coding for commonalities, and triangulated with document analysis and a researcher reflective journal. The data were used to offer ideas about the main reasons for ongoing racism and what could be done to begin breaking down systemic racism in K-12 schools.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education Graduate Program – Educational Research

Grantor

Werklund School of Education

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Tam, Amanda Lenora Ann

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Burns, Amy

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• McDermott, Mairi
• Eaton, Sarah

• Racism
• Systemic Racism
• Microaggression
• Interpersonal
• Personal
• Institutional
• Structural
• Anti-Racist Education
• Colonialism
• Race

Statement dc:rights

• Unless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/49585

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/121994