Teacher Activism
3 educator Instagram accounts you want to follow
Something’s rotten in the state of teaching and someone needs to tell it like it is. Who better than a teacher who suffers daily from the stench?
Activism’s goal is to get people to sit up and listen, and social media, with its devotion to short-form, attractive content, is uniquely suited to reach, engage, and explain to people what exactly needs to be thrown out of teaching.
Here are three Instagram accounts that are worth checking out. One is managed by a community of educators, while the other two are individually run.
All are committed to dealing with the deep-seated issues within the structures and processes of teaching and learning. What is more important though, is how the content comes across — intelligent, well-thought through and backed by research. These teacher activists are playing the long game.
- Women of Color in ELT (@wocinelt)
Their very first post was on May 21, 2019. While there’s a growing number of female English Language researchers from outside the UK, US, Australia and NZ, Ireland, Canada, the face of ELT remains very much White and male. Wocinelt aims to be to create awareness of the burgeoning existence of non-White female scholars in the field of ELT.
2. ms_kawi (@ms_kawi)
An educator in a public who also writes often, ms_kawi is one of my favourite accounts to follow. The account is unapologetically honest about the structural failings of teaching systems (which would be enough to send anyone off the rails), but never forgets to ground itself in good, effective teaching and the occasional witty joke. The lesson materials and newsletters are useful for teachers, but what I love most is her commitment to reflective practice.
3. the_non_native_speaker (@the_non_native_speaker)
This account takes advantage of all of Instagram’s functions — there are off-the-cuff Instagram Lives, reels with trending audios and stories — that engage the audience. Started in August 2021, it tackles the thorny issue of how ELT organisations and schools tend to have double standards when hiring ‘native speakers’ and non-native speakers. Hiring advertisements are deconstructed and the idea of accents, frequently discussed, all to show how the ELT industry needs a critical update in its understanding of what is a good EL teacher.
While social media activism has sometimes been dismissed as ineffectual or short-lived, don’t be so quick to write off the Instagram accounts described above! Part of the effect and impact of activism is not only to see change happening little by little in the communities, but also to be witness to the growth and journeys of these incredible educators. Stick around, enjoy the ride and be encouraged by their grit and determination.
