The I'm W.O.K.E. Project

Widening Options through Knowledge and Empowerment (W.O.K.E.).

Social justice and equity are placed in the hands of the students as they use mathematical models to analyze social, political, environmental, economic, or personal issues. The “I’m W.O.K.E. project” uses mathematical simulations and educational experiences to integrate disciplines and promote cognitive processing skills. Students work in consultation with educators to investigate a compelling phenomenon. Students create or analyze mathematical models, research historical contexts, and explore patterns and trends to separate fact from opinion to uncover and intervene in the critical components of the issue. During these investigations, students formulate and communicate conclusions that lead to various measures for rectification. One student exclaimed, "The I'm W.O.K.E. Project helped me to find my voice". Placing the world's problems in the hands of the students and providing them with the tools necessary to determine what issues to address, how to address, them, and why to address them encourages the students to become agents of change. The projects promote high engagement and provide opportunities to refine computational skills in relevant contexts. The highlight of the I'm W.O.K.E. Project is the teacher training, which prepares teachers to use culturally responsive pedagogy to widen options through knowledge and empowerment for ALL students.

These educational experiences intend to create structures that shrink the educational divide. Through explorations, investigations, and conversations we examine structures and beliefs that result in effective, efficient, and equitable educational systems. The process engages a variety of stakeholders including educators, students, activists, faith-based leaders, and community organizers. Together, we equip and become equipped, with the research, resources, and innovations needed to maintain education as a stepping stone on the path to financial independence and economic stability for all people. The process will generate scalable practices for creating high-achieving, culturally responsive, and equitable educational systems. 

What happens when the entire world is hit with a deadly pandemic that the government refuses to recognize exists until thousands of small businesses are forced to close their doors and millions of people are infected, with black and brown people disproportionately infected and dying from the illness that it causes?

Our students examine the spread, disparities, and economic impact of Covid-19 while asking themselves, what will be my new normal?

Dr. Tonya Clarke is the Coordinator of K-12 Mathematics in the 5th largest school district in Georgia. She is the founder of the I'm W.O.K.E. Project (an acronym for widening options through knowledge and empowerment) and leads a team of educators and students who work collaboratively to develop these Projects and organize these experiences. Dr. Clarke strives to be actively W.O.K.E. This means she actively seeks methods for widening options for students and teachers through knowledge and empowerment.  This work takes a team of educators, students, and community members who are willing to spend time critically thinking through K-12 education... and of course, mathematics takes the lead. Dr. Clarke can be reached by email through this site, on Twitter @clarkesgotclass, and on LinkedIn, she is Tonya Clarke.