Archaeology of Self® is an invitation to dive deep into the heart of teaching and the sacred work of self-awareness.
Archaeology of Self: The Introspective Educator’s Guide to Racial Literacy calls educators—and professionals from all walks of life—to embark on a lifelong journey of racial literacy, healing, and the pursuit of a bias-free existence.
Blending personal narrative, poetry, and guided reflection, Archaeology of Self offers both a mirror and a map that takes readers through Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz’s framework for excavating one’s racial identity, confronting internalized bias, and teaching from a place of critical love, justice, and truth.
This is more than a book. It is a living, breathing guide for transformation. Included within are:
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Lesson plans designed by educators across the country and adaptable for K-12 and beyond.
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Multimodal resources, including video suggestions, journaling prompts, mindfulness practices, and companion readings.
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A chapter-themed music playlist that sets the emotional and intellectual tone, inviting deep listening, feeling, and reflection.
At its core, Archaeology of Self: The Introspective Educator’s Guide to Racial Literacy is a blueprint for healing and for the collective reimagining of education as a liberatory and humanizing force.
Pre-order your copy today!
Archaeology of Self is an invitation to dive deep into the heart of teaching and the sacred work of self-awareness.
Archaeology of Self: The Introspective Educator’s Guide to Racial Literacy calls educators—and professionals from all walks of life—to embark on a lifelong journey of racial literacy, healing, and the pursuit of a bias-free existence.
Blending personal narrative, poetry, and guided reflection, Archaeology of Self offers both a mirror and a map that takes readers through Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz’s framework for excavating one’s racial identity, confronting internalized bias, and teaching from a place of critical love, justice, and truth.
This is more than a book. It is a living, breathing guide for transformation. Included within are:
-
Lesson plans designed by educators across the country and adaptable for K-12 and beyond.
-
Multimodal resources, including video suggestions, journaling prompts, mindfulness practices, and companion readings.
-
A chapter-themed music playlist that sets the emotional and intellectual tone, inviting deep listening, feeling, and reflection.
At its core, Archaeology of Self: The Introspective Educator’s Guide to Racial Literacy is a blueprint for healing and for the collective reimagining of education as a liberatory and humanizing force.
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Doing the Work, Digging Deep, & Disrupting Racial Inequity & Bias
Through the Arch of Self LLC, Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz works with businesses, K-12, and Higher Education professionals in a process of digging deep and "peeling back layers" on their life experiences.
Dr. Sealey-Ruiz has conducted professional development workshops with faculty and staff at two and four-year colleges and universities across the U.S. as well as personnel within Departments of Education.
A signature framework by Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Archaeology of Self® invites individuals on a journey of profound reflection and change. Through excavating history, memory, bias, prejudice, and love, educators and leaders uncover beliefs and experiences that shape and inform their practice. The use of this framework helps to self-awareness as the foundation for racial literacy, healing, and authentic human connection.
Specifically related to the field of education, Archaeology of Self® helps educators and educational leaders understand that their beliefs about students and their communities dictate how much or little they will invest in them.
If teachers and educational leaders believe that a child belongs to a group of people who cannot achieve, they will treat that child as though they are “at risk” and not see their promise.
For me, there is no way around this: the heart and the mind must be examined if we are to move forward in eradicating the inequalities that exist in education for students of color.
- Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz
For me, there is no way around this: the heart and the mind must be examined if we are to move forward in eradicating the inequalities that exist in education for students of color.
-Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz
Talks & Speaker Services
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Archaeology of Self: Racial Literacy for the Introspective Educator
Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz invites audiences into a space of reflection, courage, and love—the necessary tools for true transformation. Interweaving scholarship, lived experience, and poetry, she invites participants to excavate their own histories and beliefs, to see education not merely as instruction, but as an act of justice, care, and humanity.
Keynote Presentations
This interactive series builds community and reflection through guided writing, dialogue, and critical self-work. Participants explore key themes such as racial literacy, love, and leadership. Each session offers practical strategies and reflective tools that move participants from awareness to action.
Workshop Series (Choose 3–4 Sessions)
Dr. Sealey-Ruiz shares her expertise during panels discussing Racial Literacy, Urban Education, and Culturally Responsive Education in Teacher Education. Her insights highlight the importance of integrating these frameworks as an approach to improve the educational experiences of students of color in schools and employees of color in the workplace.
Panel Participation
These small, intimate discussion-based gatherings encourage open, bold discussion. In the Harkness Method, participants sit as co-learners—listening, reflecting, and responding that go beyond surface level. In every roundtable, intellectual exploration and human connection meet.
Roundtable Talks (Harkness Method)
For more about Racial Literacy Roundtables (RLRs) and the Racial Literacy Development model theorized by Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, read more here.
Testimonials
When I think of the Arch of Self in Education, I compare it to an archeologist who uses various techniques "to dig, uncover, identify, process and record archaeological remains" as part of the excavation process. The same is with teachers, like myself, in education, who use tools and resources such as books, professional development, dialogue and reflection to dig into our preconceived notions about the students and the communities we serve as well as our self as the teacher.
-- SG, Middle School Teacher
Partners
