Social Work Educators’ Experiences Teaching CSWE Competency 3: Practical Approaches to Enhance Instruction

There is a pressing need for more empirical research on educators’ experiences preparing social work students to engage effectively in anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices, in line with the social work profession’s dedication to social justice and to enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. To address this gap, a study was conducted to examine the experiences of social work educators who taught a course incorporating anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) content. By examining the instructors’ perspectives, the study sought to gain insights into their teaching experiences and the learning environment, identify ways to improve instruction, and contribute to the extant literature on ADEI. This qualitative study involved (n = 7) social work educators who taught the course at a Midwestern University. The study findings highlight the challenges and successes in teaching ADEI content, resulting in the following themes: (1) balancing comfort and discomfort, (2) educators’ suitability, and (3) collegial collaboration and support. Based on these findings, this article concludes with recommendations to enhance pedagogical approaches and the educational setting.