Social Justice in the Classroom with Rachael Lucille, ep. 274

Social justice in the classroom can feel like a big, complicated thing to unpack. An idea that’s difficult to define and even harder to put into practice.
But what does it actually look like in real classrooms?
In Episode 274, I sit down with Rachael Lucille, School Program Specialist at Little Justice Leaders, to talk about how we can start introducing social justice work to students at every grade level, even when it feels overwhelming or scary. She shares her real-life experience as both a parent and educator, explaining what social justice really means and showing how you can embed it into daily routines, no matter what grade you teach.
Rachael offers practical examples and discusses how creating a classroom where every kid feels seen and supported is at the heart of social justice work. We talk through what conversations actually sound like with kids of different ages and include stories of discussions we’ve had with our own kids.
You’ll find out the actionable steps necessary to lay the groundwork for a more affirming school culture. We also explore how we can continue this important work even when there’s political or policy pushback. Plus, find out how instructional coaches can support social justice work, even if they don’t pick the curriculum.
Listen now for actionable ideas and inspiration!
Social Justice Work Across Grade Levels
To kick off the conversation, I ask Rachael what social justice work looks like in elementary, middle, and high school. She tells us that it doesn’t have to be a big, complicated concept reserved only for older students.
Rachael defines social justice as “the proactive pursuit of equal rights, opportunities, and treatment for all people aimed at creating a fair society by overcoming systemic inequities based on race, gender, ability, or economic status.” During the episode, she explains what social justice work can look like across different grade levels:
Elementary School
- Social justice work at this level is basic and teaches the foundations. It focuses on disrupting unequal systems from the very beginning.
- For young learners, it’s about teaching inclusivity, inclusive language, and normalizing differences. Instead of addressing the classroom as “boys and girls”, try “friends”.
- Rachael cautions teachers to be mindful and not make assumptions about students’ experiences outside school. Students don’t all have the same experiences. Not everyone goes on vacation during holidays. Instead, recognize that school might be the only place where some students feel safe or get their meals.
- Foster an environment where kids are accepting of their peers’ differences, a place where all kids feel valued and seen.
- In the younger years, Rachael says, “If you are teaching kids how to be kind humans, then you’re doing social justice work.”
Middle School (and Later Elementary)
- Upper elementary and middle schoolers are ready for deeper conversations about the reasons why being inclusive and equitable matters. Educators can start breaking the barrier and explain the reasons behind inclusive practices, connecting them to historical or systemic inequities.
- The groundwork naturally shifts from simply establishing norms to actively exploring how and why social justice principles are necessary. As Rachael notes, it’s important to help students see that “historically it hasn’t always been this way”.
High School
- High school students have a greater capacity to handle complex, sometimes uncomfortable or controversial topics.
- Rachael encourages waiting until this age for deeper conversations to preserve children’s innocence.
Building social justice in the classroom is a gradual process. No matter the age, the foundation starts with kindness and curiosity. You’re just going a little deeper as students mature.
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Teaching Social Justice by Meeting Students Where They Are
Another important topic we discussed is how every child is unique, and their readiness for different social justice conversations often depends on their individual interests and life experiences. During the episode, we share stories about our own kids and offer examples of how conversations arise from real moments, reminding us that the process is different for every child.
As Rachael points out, even within the same family, two children may be ready for certain topics at completely different times, influenced by what sparks their curiosity or comes up naturally in their day. The key is to be responsive and follow the student’s lead. This approach honors each child, ensuring that the conversations are relevant and meaningful to them.
Laying the Groundwork for Social Justice in Schools
If a school is trying to make moves in this direction, how can it take the first steps to lay the groundwork for social justice? Rachael shares actionable ways schools can begin building the foundation for this important work:
✅ Implementing an Age-Appropriate Social Justice Curriculum – The Little Justice Leaders curriculum is a flexible, K–8 framework that addresses a range of topics related to social justice. It offers flexibility for when and how topics are introduced to students.
✅ Include Diverse Books – Introduce books and reading materials that focus on inclusivity and diversity to spark important conversations in the classroom. The “A Kids Book About” series is great for conversation starters that naturally introduce social justice concepts to students.
✅ Promote a Place of Inclusivity – Create a school where every student feels welcomed and valued as an individual. Use inclusive language, promote acceptance, and design classrooms where students celebrate each other’s unique backgrounds and needs.
✅ Go Beyond the Surface with Standards and Lessons – Many social studies lessons are tied to events rooted in social justice, but these stories can sometimes be glossed over. By digging deeper into these events, educators can help students make meaningful connections to the past and present.
What Can Instructional Coaches Do to Support Social Justice Work?
Instructional coaches may not choose the curriculum, but we can still play an important role in promoting social justice in schools. Here are three ways coaches can support social justice work in the classroom.
1️⃣ One of the easiest ways to make an impact is to share resources. Rachael recommends starting with the Little Justice Leaders’ website and social media.
2️⃣ Another suggestion is to curate books centered on inclusivity, equity, and diverse stories. Books can unlock a safe entry point into sensitive topics and provide key vocabulary.
3️⃣ Classroom community lessons or meetings present natural opportunities to talk about social justice. For instance, explaining the concept of equity through everyday classroom examples, like some students using glasses, helps students see that fairness means meeting individuals’ unique needs and not treating everyone the same. Small shifts like these allow coaches to foster inclusion even when the curriculum is rigid.
Be ready for anything with the Instructional Coaching Editable Binder Megapack!
It includes forms, templates, and everything you need to get organized for instructional coaching! Coach teachers and document your coaching work with these printable and editable tools. Grab the Instructional Coach Binder Megapack in my TpT Store!
Making Small Moves and Pushing Back When Policies Make This Work Difficult
We have seen significant political pushback against social justice efforts and anything perceived as related to DEI initiatives. Educators can feel caught between wanting to support all students and not wanting to face disciplinary consequences.
So, what can we do to push back or make moves in our schools?
Here are some practical ways educators can make small but significant moves, even in the face of ever-growing restrictions:
- Choose Your Words Wisely: How you talk about the work you do matters. Instead of saying, “I’m a social justice educator”, focus on statements like “I believe in affirming and supporting kids” or “I want to make sure students have the tools they need to thrive and succeed in my classroom”.
- Use Broad, Neutral Terms: When possible, opt for neutral or widely accepted terms. Sometimes, simply adjusting our language a little can make these important conversations possible.
- Lead by Example: Show your commitment to social justice by meeting students’ individual needs, celebrating differences, and creating an environment where every child feels seen, valued, and supported.
Remember, you can make a difference even when there are policy barriers in place. When you walk the walk, kids notice. Your actions show students what equity and fairness look like in real life.
Supporting Social Justice in the Classroom
It’s easy to feel like we’re not doing enough, but sometimes one conversation or supportive moment for a child can be the place we start. My discussion with Rachael was an inspiring reminder that even small actions can make an impact when it comes to supporting social justice in the classroom.
Rachel’s perspective was both realistic and encouraging. I loved hearing all the actionable ideas for making social justice work part of our everyday routines and appreciated how she encouraged us to celebrate the good work we’re already doing. It left me thinking about how each of us can help create a more inclusive environment, one step at a time.
Check out the full episode for practical ways to bring more social justice into your school community.
Topics and Questions Discussed in Episode 274 – Social Justice in the Classroom with Rachael Lucille
- A basic understanding of social justice in the classroom
- Clear definition of social justice and its core principles
- Understanding what social justice work looks like at different grade levels
- Age-appropriate approaches to conversations about equity and inclusion
- Practical steps schools can take to lay the groundwork for social justice
- Ways instructional coaches can support social justice work, even if they don’t pick the curriculum
- Navigating policy restrictions: What educators can do to push back or make small moves in their schools
About Rachael Lucille
Rachael Lucille (they/she) is a content creator and School Program Specialist for Little Justice Leaders. A Black parent born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she is now raising three children near her hometown while centering social justice in both parenting and education. With a passion for storytelling and advocacy, Rachael’s work in communications challenges the status quo and amplifies community-centered narratives. Outside of work, she’s passionate about motherhood, and enjoys skateboarding, tending to plants, and collecting books.
Turning Insight Into Action: Practical Steps You Can Take After Listening
Here are simple actions you can take today:
1️⃣ Add Inclusive Books to Your Collection
Choose books that highlight inclusivity and social justice topics. Pick stories that feature diverse characters and experiences to spark classroom conversations.
2️⃣ Grab the First 20 Days Checklist
The first 20 days of school checklist is perfect for helping you narrow down the specific tasks you need to do in the first 20 days of school to set yourself up for a successful, impactful year of coaching! Grab this handy checklist at buzzingwithmsb.com/first20 and be ready to coach your teachers this school year!
Ready to listen?
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Learn more
- Episode 273 – The First Step to Take When Coaching Resistant Teachers
- Buzzing with Ms. B on Instagram
- Join My Facebook Group: Instructional Coaching with Ms. B
- Free First 20 Days of Coaching Checklist
- Little Justice Leaders
- Little Justice Leaders on Instagram @littlejusticeleaders
- Little Justice Leaders on TikTok @littlejusticeleaders
- Little Justice Leaders on Facebook @littlejusticeleaders
- “A Kids Book About” Series
Helpful Resources
- Join the Instructional Coaching Club
- Instructional Coach Binder Megapack – Editable Forms, Calendars, Planning Tools
- Instructional Coaching Binder Megapack – Editable Forms, Documents & Tools on TpT
- Buzzing with Ms. B TpT Store
- The Confident Literacy Coach
- Simply Coaching Summit
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Podcast produced by Fernie Ceniceros







