Cultivating Brave Spaces:
A Guide for Asynchronous Online Social Work Educators
What Are Brave Spaces?
Brave spaces are environments where people feel brave enough to participate in open and honest dialogue. Unlike safe spaces, brave spaces acknowledge that these conversations may be uncomfortable, but they are necessary for growth.
Why Does This Matter to
Social Work Educators?
In brave spaces, students confront their own biases, challenge perspectives, build resilience, and develop skills to navigate challenging situations. These spaces also help future social workers engage in dialogue about complex social justice issues, ethics, politics, religion, and more.
* While this guide is designed for asynchronous online social work educators, synchronous educators and those from other disciplines may also find the strategies and resources provided on this website helpful!
The Impact of Brave Spaces
How Brave Spaces Empower Students
In social work education, a brave space helps to create an environment where all students are encouraged to engage in honest, respectful dialogue, even when it's uncomfortable.
How Bravitas Supports You
Are you an online social work educator? This site holds a wealth of tools and resources to help you create a brave learning environment in your asynchronous classroom.
Setting the Tone
Learn how to lay the groundwork for bravery in your classroom.
Managing Sensitive Discussions
Gain strategies for managing difficult conversations.
Giving Constructive Feedback
Provide growth-oriented feedback that recognizes effort, and affirms identities.
Building Community Online
Create a sense of belonging in your virtual classroom.
The Positive Impact of Brave Learning Environments
More Student Engagement and Participation
Higher Student Retention and Success
Better Learning Outcomes
Improved Student
Well-Being
Teaching Practices
Inclusive
Create learning environments that embrace diversity and encourage all students to contribute. Learn how to adapt your teaching methods to support students from different backgrounds and experiences.
Trauma-Informed
Recognize the impact of trauma on students' learning and use teaching practices that promote bravery and empowerment.
Reflective
Engage in continuous self-reflection to understand how your own positionality plays a role in your classroom.
Educator Spotlight
Brave Teaching In Action
Christine Morales,
Ed.D., MSW, LCSW
"It's this idea that everyone is accepted, but everyone can learn. Everyone recognizes that there's this shared goal, at least in our social work class, to affect change and make peoples' lives better. We are really our best tools."
Jennifer Campbell,
MSW, LCSW
“It's about setting the tone early, respecting multiple kernels of truth at the same time - Calling in versus calling out.”