What's your favorite color? Are you a cat person, or a dog person? Team Edward, Team Jacob , or Team Nobody Cares?

Chances are, you've got opinions, and lots of 'em too. Heck, you picked our site to peruse because you like us more than those other guys, right? (This is our secret dream. Please don't crush it.) Anyway, we all have our biases, and most of them time, they're totally harmless.

But when students are inundated with biased images and materials that teach them to value certain groups of people more than others? Well, that's when we have a problem.

Biased materials in school can twist a kid's perception of the world. So unless we want a bunch of kids growing up with a majorly skewed viewpoint, we need to take steps to ensure an anti-bias learning environment.

Yikes. Sounds intense, right? Don't worry. By the time we're done, you'll know exactly what this anti-bias learning environment thingy is all about.

We can't help you decide between Team Edward and Team Jacob, though. That's all on you.

Steps

So what steps can we take to nip bias at the bud? Well first, take a look at your teaching material. Go ahead, flip through the pages, we'll wait…

…Good? Good. So what'd you notice? Were the pictures in the materials you use diverse, or did they reinforce stereotypes?

If you're seeing stereotypes, or just a lack of diversity in your teaching material, try seeking out materials that feature a non-biased variety. Instead of a Mexican man in a mariachi outfit, look for an image of a Mexican doctor or politician. Showing people within different cultural groups doing a wide range of activities will help your students avoid stereotyping.

And bias applies to more than race, cultural identity, and Twilight fandoms. Introducing students to a variety of both socioeconomic groups and family homes will teach them to be accepting of differences early on. After all, variety is the spice of life (sorry, cinnamon). And we don't know about you, but we like our life spicy.

Not in a weird way. We promise.

And since we're all friends here, we feel like we can tell you this without things getting awkward: make sure you're doing your part and teaching sensitivity towards other cultures.

Is it awkward now? No? Cool.

We all mean well, but sometimes our bias comes sneaking in through our actions and delivery. As a teacher, you have to be a paradigm of acceptance and tolerance. Because at the end of the day, you're influencing your students and shaping how they'll act in life.

No pressure or anything.

We're not saying if you accidentally show bias once in a while, you'll have an army of soulless megalomaniacs on your hands. But checking in with yourself every once in a while to make sure you're teaching in a non-biased way and not letting 'em see your secret preference for Team Bella Is Better Off Alone is always a good idea.

So, your materials are looking good and you're keeping your bias in check. That just leaves one more thing….hm...what was that? Seems like it might be important, hm…

Oh. Right. Your students.

If your students are making derogatory remarks and spreading toxic views, it's your job to put an end to that.

Think of yourself as an anti-bias superhero. Bias? Not on your watch.

By showing you don't condone that kind of behavior, you're setting the tone for your classroom. Show your students what's acceptable and what's not through your actions. If you do, you'll be showing them the right way to deal with bias when they see it.

Changing the way a kid leads their life? Go buy yourself a cape, 'cause that sounds like a superpower to us.

And if you want to drive the lesson home, find some issues of bias in the news, bring them in, and discuss them with your class. You'll get to hear their ideas on bias and maybe clear up some misconceptions.

Phew. That wasn't too hard, was it? Implement these steps, and your classroom will be a bias-free zone in no time.

But maybe leave the cape at home. It might be a bias-free zone, but it's not a "look at our weird teacher wearing a cape!"-free zone.