# data[].attributes.body
I am Dr. Jackson. I am a 6th-grade science teacher at Montevallo Middle School. I was the teacher of the year at my school in the 2021 school year. I am from Birmingham, AL. I was raised by a single mother. I grew up as a band geek. I played flute and trumpet. I still play my instruments today. It is important to care about those who are different than me because everyone deserves a chance. Everyone is important and can be essential in providing valuable information. Knowing that everyone can add value to those around them offers a chance to embrace diversity.

My identity impacts my teaching practices because every day I can be a role model, mentor, or advisor. There may be times when I can share knowledge from previous experiences to help a student in need.

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My name is Kim Reynolds.  I am from Birmingham, Alabama and have lived there almost all my life. My exposure to people from backgrounds different from mine was very limited until I went to college.  I care about those different from me because everyone is important, deserves respect and a chance to succeed, and has something valuable to share.  I want to be able to teach and learn from all different kinds of people.  

# data[].attributes.subject
My name is Kim Reynolds.  I am from Birmingham, Alabama and have lived there almost all my life. My exposure to people from backgrounds different from mine was very limited until I went to college.  I care about those different from me because everyone is important, deserves respect and a chance to succeed, and has something valuable to share.  I want to be able to teach and learn from all different kinds of people.  

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My name is Christopher T. Wideman, and I am from Houston, TX.

I believe it is essential to care about those different from me because

you never know how that individual’s life experiences affect their view of the world.

Without considering these differences, you risk offending someone by mistake with your actions.

Another reason it is crucial is that without opening your mind and expressing interest in said

differences, it may be challenging to connect with your peers or students.

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What is ...Culturally responsive pedagogy? Social justice education? Implicit Bias? White Privilege? How can a teacher practice anti-racism in their school, classroom, or personal life? Benefits and challenges to practicing and understanding these theories and ways of educating our students?

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To me, culturally responsive pedagogy is teaching in a way that considers and respects each student not only as an individual, but also as a representative/part of his or her culture, and that takes that into account when trying to reach the students. I think that social justice education involves making sure that policies are fair, resources are equally available to all students, and all students are treated equally and fairly. Implicit bias is having an attitude toward a group, whether positive or negative, that you may not even be aware that you have, but that colors your treatment of/thoughts about that group. White privilege refers to the advantages that white-skinned people have over non-white-skinned people. I think that practicing anti-racism starts with examining ourselves critically and being honest about our own preconceived ideas, and working to change them if they are at all racist. After that, we can build outward, working to have anti-racist classrooms and hopefully ensure that our schools as a whole are fair and unprejudiced as well. It is somewhat difficult to talk about these theories because race/different cultures can be such a touchy subject and people can get emotional, but we need to have the hard conversations so that things can get better.

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What are some disparities in our local schools? Evolution of terminology? Academic v. social language? What are some misconceptions and truths about cultures?

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Can you list and briefly describe 2 or more policies/legislation aligned with special education mandates?  IEP v. 504 Plan? Accommodations v. Modifications?

# data[].attributes.body
Who Are You? Where Do You Come From? Why Care About Those Who Are Different From Me? What Have My Family & Friends Taught Me About Those Different From Me? How Does Knowing My Identity Impact My Teaching Practices and Treatment of My Students?