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Matt: Definitely! Engage with everyone! You never know who you'll meet. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone—experience is a great way to understand others' experiences.

Crystal: Community & empathy are important.

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Theme of family (moms, their own children)

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Theme of family (moms, their own children)

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I notice that most people in their bios shared that they were involved in clubs, activities, or sports. These activities seem to be foundational for developing relationships or empathy that will translate to the workforce.

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Agreed. The most worthwhile self-learning is usually accomplished when we step out of our comfort zone.

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Agreed. The most worthwhile self-learning is usually accomplished when we step out of our comfort zone.

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Allowing yourself to be open to all kinds of people and understanding all kinds are valid is a good start.

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This is a big issue not only regarding race but also especially in politics right now. We need to be better at listening to each other and be open to learning about our differences. Learn its ok to have differences in both backgrounds and beliefs.

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skills to interact with others, getting out of their comfort zone. These skills can't necessarily be taught and seeking out experiences to bolster communication and be in new environments. Training students when they start high school would be beneficial

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skills to interact with others, getting out of their comfort zone. These skills can't necessarily be taught and seeking out experiences to bolster communication and be in new environments. Training students when they start high school would be beneficial

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Help those students find their strengths or areas they feel comfortable and successful in and embrace those so the students can feel confident and/or successful in some areas which could carry over to other areas in life

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Help those students find their strengths or areas they feel comfortable and successful in and embrace those so the students can feel confident and/or successful in some areas which could carry over to other areas in life

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Have a goal to raise your hand at least once in every class, ever day. Join a club, activity, band, sport... there is something for everyone.

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Have a goal to raise your hand at least once in every class, ever day. Join a club, activity, band, sport... there is something for everyone.

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It is ok to feel uncomfortable.  That is a normal feeling in life. Embrace that and learn how you react in situations like that

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It is ok to feel uncomfortable.  That is a normal feeling in life. Embrace that and learn how you react in situations like that

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(such a great person :) !) Pick and choose your battles...what is "the hill you want to die on"?

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Awesome advice by these former students! Get out of your comfort zone. Familiarize yourself with what you're unfamiliar with.

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Matt's right: most employers are looking for a diverse mix in terms of their employees.

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Matt's right: most employers are looking for a diverse mix in terms of their employees.

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It's important to take Healthy Risks that challenge you and help you move you forward.

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It's important to take Healthy Risks that challenge you and help you move you forward.

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Try to find similar connections between people (similar interests, life experiences, etc). Many people do not share parts of their lives so you may have more in common with someone than you originally thought. 

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Try to find similar connections between people (similar interests, life experiences, etc). Many people do not share parts of their lives so you may have more in common with someone than you originally thought. 

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Nice Job! I love that they pointed everything is not all about you! We have to think that we do not know what's going on in other peoples world.... and you will not get along with everyone.

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Nice Job! I love that they pointed everything is not all about you! We have to think that we do not know what's going on in other peoples world.... and you will not get along with everyone.

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The hiring process needs to be revamped for our world. It hasn't changed at the pace society has changed.

Yes, reach out to the communities you want to incorporate into your corporate culture.

Creating community among team members is also important—informal gatherings are where you really get to learn about colleagues outside the jobsite.

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This is important because the employer claims they "can't find qualified people of color". Well, ask yourself if your standards are based on racist/prejudicial beliefs. What makes the person of color unqualified?? I don't buy it! Experience and training beyond yourself can be beneficial.

YES, KRYSTAL IT'S CRAP :)

I think young people should know that a lot of companies are on Twitter and Instagram posting black squares. Feel free to call them in (or out) about what they have done to have representation within the company and how is their treatment of BIPOC.

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I love the comment to put yourself out there . Also, to think about where other people are coming from when situations occur

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I love the comment to put yourself out there . Also, to think about where other people are coming from when situations occur

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Look at someone's work experiences but also life experiences. Sometimes life experiences can bring a lot of diversity. 

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Look at someone's work experiences but also life experiences. Sometimes life experiences can bring a lot of diversity. 

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Krystal's point about "getting through" a class taught by a teacher with whom you "don't get along" is VERY poignant. Developing that skill will pay off in the workforce for sure.

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Krystal's point about "getting through" a class taught by a teacher with whom you "don't get along" is VERY poignant. Developing that skill will pay off in the workforce for sure.

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Always be true to yourself, but consider multiple perspectives.  Don't be afraid to put yourself in other people's shoes.

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Great things happen outside your comfort zone!!

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Great things happen outside your comfort zone!!

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I so appreciate what this person is saying, but also I think employers need to push themselves to be more uncomfortable. Their comfort level should not be the priority but rather creating an antiracist environment.

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Taking that initial step out of our comfort zone is extraordinarily hard but will lead to such growth! 

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Taking that initial step out of our comfort zone is extraordinarily hard but will lead to such growth! 

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And heck

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Well said, they are speaking to the question better than I can.

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I like the idea of  putting yourself in an uncomfortable  position in order to learn more about others. 

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I like the idea of  putting yourself in an uncomfortable  position in order to learn more about others. 

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Agreed! Employers should give all people chances, and provide a welcoming environment.

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Agreed! Employers should give all people chances, and provide a welcoming environment.

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I love the comment to put yourself out there . Also, to think about where other people are coming from when situations occur

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this idea of being out of your comfort zone to grow reminds me of students in my art class and pushing them out of their comfort zone academically

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this idea of being out of your comfort zone to grow reminds me of students in my art class and pushing them out of their comfort zone academically

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I like how Crystal recommends that employers need to create a more welcoming environment to recruit greater diversity in their workforce.

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Get out of their bubble... be open-minded

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Get out of their bubble... be open-minded

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Victor saying employers need to have an open mind because not all candidates come from the same place. 

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Victor saying employers need to have an open mind because not all candidates come from the same place. 

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I couldn't agree with Krystal more. Sometimes you have to "deal with people" in authority who you don't get another with. How you choose to respond or deal with it is a lifelong skill to have.

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It's important for organizations to create a supportive

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The idea of community resonated with me...fostering a community of diversity to make everyone feel welcome is important (also important in school for students)

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The idea of community resonated with me...fostering a community of diversity to make everyone feel welcome is important (also important in school for students)

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Employers using training and/or informal get-togethers is a good call, in terms of bringing in and understanding people from varied backgrounds.

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Employers using training and/or informal get-togethers is a good call, in terms of bringing in and understanding people from varied backgrounds.

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Evaluate contribution to the organization rather than the packaging.

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I'd say you always have to be true to who you are, but don't shy away from putting yourself in other people's shoes.  Consider multiple perspectives.

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How does WMHS attract more people of color to teach in our school?

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How does WMHS attract more people of color to teach in our school?

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-Crystal's comment about creating a welcoming environment is excellent.  

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-Crystal's comment about creating a welcoming environment is excellent.  

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-Victor also makes a great point about not just "checking off boxes."

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Yes, so true, Matt!    Getting out of your comfort zone and reaching out to  to others is so important!   A little discomfort leads to richness and growth in our lives.

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Yes, so true, Matt!    Getting out of your comfort zone and reaching out to  to others is so important!   A little discomfort leads to richness and growth in our lives.

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Maybe the skills or experience employers are looking for are part of their bias. Employers need to check their expectations and see if they are rooted in cultural ideas that are excluding other cultures. Like Krystal said, there isn’t a lack of qualified applicants of color…

I agree that on-site training is important. If employers are truly dedicated to diversifying, they need to take on some of the burden to narrow the gap in work-specific training. Everyone has a role to play in changing society.

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Joining different groups and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone are great recommendations.

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I love that Krystal also spoke to the fact that it is not on the individual to make co-workers or the company feel better about race! There are definitely things people should work towards together but it should never fall on one individual or one group to make sure others "feel good" about their level of inclusion. -Belinda

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Creating a welcoming environment for all employees is vital to attract minority workforce.

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I agree with Krystal's point about creating a community in the work place. Her honesty is so powerful to hear.

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The honesty the panel speaks with about the situations they've faced at work, in hiring,  or in life in general, is very powerful.

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The honesty the panel speaks with about the situations they've faced at work, in hiring,  or in life in general, is very powerful.

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Amen to what Crystal said - and no one wants to work where they do not feel welcome.

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Amen to what Crystal said - and no one wants to work where they do not feel welcome.

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I do think it's interesting to compare the years in high school and that current HS students may have more awareness of diversity and inclusion because it's discussed more and we all see it happening in the country right now.

Also the addition of social media to kids in school these days opens up a whole new world since kids can see a lot of things on social media.

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Creating a community and having a diverse space for employees is very important. Companies/corporations reaching out to different communities to employ minorities is a great idea as well.

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Agree with Matt—my class wasn't as diverse as the student population is now

We also have access to much more info through the internet than we did in h.s.

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2 things...
1. involvement in clubs, sport and activities
2. pick your battles....such a good skill to have not only in school and jobs but in life in general!

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A variety of perspectives leads to a more meaningful discourse--reflecting society is a benefit to a company in order to better serve their clients from a purely business perspective.  "Being qualified" is unfortunately subjective--all need to check their biases !

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A variety of perspectives leads to a more meaningful discourse--reflecting society is a benefit to a company in order to better serve their clients from a purely business perspective.  "Being qualified" is unfortunately subjective--all need to check their biases !

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Crystal--absolutely right !! You need to seek to find!!

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Step outside of your comfort zone and listen to the experiences of others.  Yes!

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Glad, but also surprised, that she did not experience racism at WMHS.  Still so sad that she has to experience it working in an ER - such a sad commentary on our society/nation.

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Glad, but also surprised, that she did not experience racism at WMHS.  Still so sad that she has to experience it working in an ER - such a sad commentary on our society/nation.

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Krystal mentions she didn't feel like she was exposed to racism back then. Is it possible that kids were less exposed due to less media, especially social media, access than today's teens. Overall, WMHS has been ahead of the game.

Taylor makes a good point about WMHS may not have represented the world. He also mentions social media so it makes sense that kids would see more, both good and bad.

Do kids see themselves at WMHS today? Taylor said in his days, not that much. More BIPOC in positions of power. Yes!

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Love the comment of putting yourself out there and don't take rejection as a final judgement on your ability/possibilities. 

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Love the comment of putting yourself out there and don't take rejection as a final judgement on your ability/possibilities. 

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I'm glad that our staff is providing all inclusive and welcoming classrooms.  I am glad Maddie didn't feel anything negativity while at WMHS!

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I'm glad that our staff is providing all inclusive and welcoming classrooms.  I am glad Maddie didn't feel anything negativity while at WMHS!

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Matt, great feedback about aspirations!!!

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Matt: seeing more successful people who look like me would have helped

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Matt: seeing more successful people who look like me would have helped

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Madeline: I was unprepared for the racism I saw in the workplace (how can today's teachers prepare students for the racism they will face?)
Crystal: there wasn't much diversity at WMHS (students and faculty); awkward "colored" lunch table; Mr Martin  was the "first black male teacher"
I Wish I wasn't the token brown person; I wish I didn't have to code-switch

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Matt's comment to students about not letting "corporations' comments deflating them" is a great "two-cents" worth of advice.

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Matt's comment to students about not letting "corporations' comments deflating them" is a great "two-cents" worth of advice.

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I am glad that most of them did not feel that they experienced racism at the high school but Matt's point is also critical - he didn't feel different but he knew he was the minority. Representation is of the utmost importance and as we continue to evolve professionally as a staff I hope we also continue to grow in our diversity.

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I am glad that most of them did not feel that they experienced racism at the high school but Matt's point is also critical - he didn't feel different but he knew he was the minority. Representation is of the utmost importance and as we continue to evolve professionally as a staff I hope we also continue to grow in our diversity.

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I think this is where curriculum is so important for creating empathy between students of whatever background and the "other." I know at least in ELA class I have opportunity to expose students to diversity on a daily basis through stories and poetry, and include BIPOC voices in every unit, but I believe this possible across all curriculum. This helps to make up for the lack of diversity that Matt mentions in student body (although it seems to be more diverse at WMHS now).

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Definitely! I remember my 1st year in college I had the opportunity to choose a roommate or not. I decided to open myself up and not pick a friend or a teammate. Little did I know I would be rooming with a student from West Africa - Ghana. I was ashamed at how little I knew about different cultures, like those in Africa and other places. At that moment I made it a point to always listen and step in other people's shoes and to learn about different cultures. This exposure drove me into teaching in a lot ways.

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Very nice to hear that most did not find as an issue in high school. I would hope that students today feel the same welcoming environment from all!

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Very nice to hear that most did not find as an issue in high school. I would hope that students today feel the same welcoming environment from all!

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Yes, school connection to all is great!!

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Representation is essential!

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One  more comment - students are in the information age, but they are also in the misinformation age which seems to fuel a lot of negative aspects of our society.

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One  more comment - students are in the information age, but they are also in the misinformation age which seems to fuel a lot of negative aspects of our society.

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Loved "breaking out of your bubble" and I liked Taylor talking about the "need to make decisions" that would benefit him moving forward.

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Loved "breaking out of your bubble" and I liked Taylor talking about the "need to make decisions" that would benefit him moving forward.

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I'm glad Madeline didn't have to experience any sort of bias when she was in high school, but get her admission that it is a real issue at that age and beyond.

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I'm glad Madeline didn't have to experience any sort of bias when she was in high school, but get her admission that it is a real issue at that age and beyond.

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I think Matt's comments about seeing roll models is a testament to the value of what Steve is doing for students as WMHS, so thanks Steve!

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Misinformation is right. Part of our job is to teach students to sift through it all

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Misinformation is right. Part of our job is to teach students to sift through it all

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Very nice to hear that some of these issues were not felt for students in the past. I would hope and agree that the same welcoming environment is met today !

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Very nice to hear that some of these issues were not felt for students in the past. I would hope and agree that the same welcoming environment is met today !

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Matt's point about the power of seeing / knowing / meeting people who help us imagine ourselves in bigger and broader scenarios is so powerful.

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Amazing point about why students see athletics as the only career possible.
Eyeopening for sure!

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Expanding the curriculum to be more inclusive is crucial. Sharing stories of others throughout the world is very important. Having a more diverse community/staff is crucial to our youth's development

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Representation in leadership is so important. For all students. It empowers students in the minority, and it educates students in the majority.

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I am curious about specific things the panelists might see when they feel they are being hired as a "token".

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I am curious about specific things the panelists might see when they feel they are being hired as a "token".

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WMHS is a lot more diverse than it was 2 decades ago when I graduated.  That's for both the staff & the student body.  Due to that, there are chances for a lot more conversations that we all have in the classroom and, given the current circumstances, even more opportunities for powerful conversations.

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WMHS is a lot more diverse than it was 2 decades ago when I graduated.  That's for both the staff & the student body.  Due to that, there are chances for a lot more conversations that we all have in the classroom and, given the current circumstances, even more opportunities for powerful conversations.

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Important point made about seeing people like them in positions both in the school community and in the Woburn community.

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Thank you for
speaking about your experience so important for other students to hear.

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seeing people that share your ethnicity, gender, and beliefs in positions of power and influence empower others to follow

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seeing people that share your ethnicity, gender, and beliefs in positions of power and influence empower others to follow

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The idea that understanding and altering reality to fit societies needs tends to be better for everyone - maximizing our collective well-being.

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I'm glad that Krystal mentioned the student's choices about the black lunch table and seeking friends who "don't look like you."  Both of these social experiences are still happening today.

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I'm glad that Krystal mentioned the student's choices about the black lunch table and seeking friends who "don't look like you."  Both of these social experiences are still happening today.

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Interesting to hear her perspective around Steve's arrival at the high school as the first teacher of color and how students reacted

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I think that he made an important point about how in the school years, groups begin to form, and people start putting you into boxes based on those groups. We should not necessarily do that as a society.

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A major theme I am hearing is that it was something beyond academics/education that led individual students to choose whatever path or success they continued on to. I also think that BIPOC students are dealing with all academic and social challenges along with a separate burden of navigating the prejudices of others (which is more taxing than I can imagine).

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it would be great when you're growing up if there were giants signs letting you know "this moment is a turning point"

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it would be great when you're growing up if there were giants signs letting you know "this moment is a turning point"

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"Break out of your bubble" Love that!

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"Go out and get it yourself"!

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We need to forge your own path. You need to go out there and get it.

Breaking out of the bubble is a big theme.

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Breaking out of your bubble and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone will be very helpful. That's a great recommendation to make sure you are continuously meeting others of different backgrounds.

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"...at the end of the day, it's YOUR life."  That's an important life lesson!

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"...at the end of the day, it's YOUR life."  That's an important life lesson!

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I think the point about students being in the information age/misinformation age is an important one and the fact that high school for students right now is a different experience. As teachers we need to make sure we aren’t assuming that our experiences are the same as the current student experiences.