2) It is important to understand my own identity before working with a diverse group of students, because it helps me understand my strengths and weaknesses as an individual. I know that I am kind and very flexible when it comes to making adjustments. This can come in hand when there needs to be changes made in the classroom (providing different equipment, changing instructional strategies, etc.). It also helps me know ways to build relationships with students. I love sports and music, so that can be a foundation when getting to know students.

This work of art portrays my identity in multiple ways. I love traveling and experiencing new things and new places. I always challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone. I have loved reading since I was a little kid, and have included some books in my artwork. I love staying active and enjoying the nice weather which is why I included the person going on a walk outside. Lastly I love listening to all different types of music, so I included the music notes.

2) Why is it important to understand your own identity before working with a diverse group of learners?

It is important to understand your own identity before working with a diverse group of learners because as the article states "adolescence is the period where we start to become independent and form life goals". Highschool is the time where students are starting to figure out what they want to do. If they have not figured their identity yet, how are they supposed to set goals to figure out what they want to do. Understanding my own identity will help me to better teach my future students about their identity in order for them to suceed.

This portrays me because I always want to keep growing, so it kind of looks like the girl is growing with roots, and there is a golden retriever, because my dog is such a big part of my life and there is books because I want to be a teacher and im a student and there is a volleyball and net because that is what sport I play and hope to coach one day!

2) Why is it important to understand your own identity before working with a diverse group of learners?

Understanding my own identity is important because it helps me recognize my biases, assumptions, and personal experiences that may influence how I view others. When I know who I am and where I come from, I am better able to listen openly to students whose backgrounds are different from mine. Self-awareness allows me to avoid projecting my experiences onto my students and instead meet them where they are.

This work of art portrays in many different aspects. I am strong in my faith, and it's what guides me every single day. It's what I lean on the most to shape my identity. My passion is basketball as I'm a college basketball player. Then I also have a passion for coaching and working with kids. I preferably would love to coach basketball, so this image represents me very well.

Why is it important to understand your own identity before working with a diverse group of learners?

I think it's important to understand your own identity before working with a diverse group of students because it allows me who I can connect with right away and then also be able to find my weaknesses and be able to work on it so that I can be at my best to provide a safe and fun environment in the classroom.

It is important to understand your personal identity so you are aware of where your perspective is coming from. Since identity impacts our words, thoughts and actions so deeply, we need to be aware of it. If we know how important it is to ourselves, then we are more likely to respect it in others. Understanding my own identity can help me see areas where I need to grow in my understanding of students who have completely different upbringings. It can make me not hesitant but more intentional with my words and actions in order to respect all identities present in a classroom.

• This work of art represents who I am in several ways. The girl that is me in the art is wearing a singlet with Baker's name and colors on it. Coming to Baker has changed me in so many ways and has helped me grow in all aspects of life. The singlet and wrestling room are there because of how much wrestling has been a part of my life the past 8 years. Wrestling is what brought me to Baker in the first place. There is a portrayal of my fiance in the artwork. This represents me because he made a big move to another state so that I could stay in Kansas longer rather than leaving as soon as I'm done with the time at Baker. He is a huge supporter and the person I want to spend my life with, so it felt right to find a way to include him in the artwork. The cross is a representation of my faith. It is something I am still growing in, but it has already made a huge impact on my life. The music notes also represent this. A lot of the music I listen to since coming into my faith has been praise and gospel music. This music always makes me feel better and gets me in the mood to praise the Lord. The books are a representation of my identity because I have been a reader since I was little. While I haven't been much lately, mostly because of being busy with school, sport, and work, they are still a big part of my life.

Why is it important to understand your own identity before working with a diverse group of learners?

• Understanding my own identity before working with a diverse group of learners is important because I'll know where my thoughts come from. It will help me to understand myself because then I can understand students who are similar to me, and work with students who are learning who they are. It will also help me understand my own biases that could affect the way I treat my students. Having an understanding of myself will help me work on those biases so that I don't treat students unfairly because of my own perspective.

It’s important to understand my own identity before working in a diverse group of learners because it helps you have a home base on how you respond in certain situations. In my previous essay, I discussed a situation when a student cussed me out. If I did not know who I was, I might have yelled back or even cursed in return. But that is not who I am, and I know that is not who I am called to be. Because I understand myself and who God wants me to be for these children, I can remain calm, at peace, and respond with love. Instead, I said, “Sweetheart, I understand you’ve probably had a rough day. Let’s go take a walk and let off some steam, does that sound good?” The student looked at me like I was crazy, but his energy began to match mine, and he slowly relaxed. He realized that he may have stepped outside of his own character and identity as well. This experience made me reflect even more deeply on how understanding one’s own identity can help others discover theirs. 

The First piece that shows my identity is studying/ doing homework, At the current moment being a student is basically all I've done my whole life. Particularly now studying to become an elementary teacher. The next piece I noticed was the image of me and a friend watching a movie together as at least once a week I end up watching TV or a movie with my roommates. Then I saw the headphones and phone playing music as you can often find me listening to all different types of music. Lastly I loved the touches on my name on the calk board and they bookshelf as those could very well be pieces of my future classroom.

2.) Why is it important to understand your own identity before working with a diverse group of learners?

By understanding my own identity I can help a diverse group of learners find their own identity. I can also then recognize what pieces of my identity the students can relate with to start building a relationship with and what pieces that the students would not relate with where I can share my experiences to further a relationship. Another part of knowing your identity would be knowing what might make you upset or frustrated you. If you are aware of these things you are less likely to react in front of children, especially if the thing that upsets or frustrates you is a cultural difference. You can also look at your own strengths and weaknesses to know what you are bringing into working with a diverse group of learners and what areas you will need to work on to support that diverse group of learners.

This work of art portrays my identity in many ways. I tried to revolve this picture around musical things because music has always been a huge part of my life and now becoming my career. It shows her studying because I always want to know more and more every day, knowledge is power. There are lists and sticky notes all around because I am always trying to think ahead and cross things off of my to-do list. The lock screen has family and friends on them because I wouldn't be who I am today without their support.

2) Why is it important to understand your own identity before working with a diverse group of learners?

It's important to understand your identity so you know where you can relate to your students and where you might have to try and understand your students more. It's also important because the students are also developing their identity and will look up to others to help build their identity. It will also help me understand my own biases that might affect the way I teach my students and work on diminishing my biases. Knowing my identity will help with personal confidence and become a stronger leader in the classroom as well. I want to nurture a safe environment where my students feel comfortable to explore their identity and have pride in it.

In addition to those photos, I included the disability pride flag and the LGBTQ+ pride flag. Those aspects of my identity took a long time to discover, and an even longer time to accept. I feel those aspects take up less of my identity than some might think, but I share them because I believe that it's important to do so. It's important to know who we are, and to be visible so that those who need to see us know that they are not alone. Every student will have differences and similarities to me; part of making myself visible is so they can relate to me and learn empathy for the parts they don't relate to. More importantly though, I want to model for them what it looks like to be comfortable in their own skin, regardless of what others might think.

2. Understanding my own identity is important because it helps me recognize my interests, values, and beliefs. It also reminds me that everyone has their own identity and perspectives shaped by their experiences. Being in a diverse setting allows me to reflect more deeply on who I am. At the same time, it gives me opportunities to learn about others and appreciate their differences. This understanding helps me connect with people more meaningfully, both as individuals and as students.

It is important to understand your identity because when you do, you build a sense of respect for yourself. This is respect that you can’t show to others if you haven’t found it within your own personal beliefs, values and reasons for what makes you, you. It also helps you build much deeper and more meaningful relationships with those students. It allows you to want to get to know and help build their own identities. Lastly, I think one of the most important reasons is because we are people students look up to. Therefore, if we have a strong sense of identity, they are going to be able to recognize that and want to create that for themselves. Everything we do as teachers is being watched and picked up on. So, it is our job to make sure we are creating good habits, principles, and ideas for our students to look up to and copy.

This work of art reflects my identity by showing two activities that are very important to me: reading and enjoying coffee or tea. I have always loved reading, and I usually keep a book close to me, which is why the person in the image is shown reading. The book represents my curiosity, love for learning, and appreciation for quiet moments. The coffee in the picture reflects my personality as someone who enjoys relaxing with a warm drink while reading or reflecting. Together, the book and coffee show who I am and how I find comfort, focus, and joy in simple routines.

Understanding my own identity before working with a diverse group of learners is important because it helps me recognize my personal interests, values, and habits. When I understand myself, I am better able to see how my experiences may differ from those of my students. This awareness helps me avoid making inferences and encourages me to be more understanding and respectful of different backgrounds. Knowing my identity also enables me to reflect on how my preferences and experiences shape my teaching. By understanding who I am, I can create a classroom that values and respects the identities of all students.

It is important to understand you own identity before working in a diverse aspect because you will know that you want people to understand and respect your identity the same way you should respect theirs. Though people may have differences we all bleed the same color and breathe the same air. In order to see others identities you have to know what matters to you. Though your identities in what form you may not be what forms others it is still important to respect their identity. Overall this helps us to understand what may be a strength and weakness that we can use in the classroom or grow on.

2) Understanding my own identity matters to me because teaching is supposed to be rational. Where I know where my values, beliefs, and biases come from, I am better prepared to recognize how my expectations impact my communication and decision making for my classroom. Diverse students come from different backgrounds and have different motivations and challenges. They deserve a teacher that can meet any challenges they may face with awareness and respect. My self understanding will prevent me from assuming that all students learn and behave the same way.