Add your reflections by Lori Cohen

demariomichael — 2024-05-23 21:19:57 UTC

I think that even reflecting on how we decide which topics to develop courses on is something that needs to be considered regarding identity. I know that our core values are present in this planning process - but being more analytical in terms of how this might match the learning needs of teachers from non-dominant groups and their experiences.

lori_c_cohen — 2024-05-23 21:20:00 UTC

I find a lot of how I create courses starts with decentralization. I ask myself, what's dominant about my perspectives/identities? What am I relying on as implicit or "default" knowledge of this content area or topic? I then interrogate where that comes from.

I then ask myself, whose perspectives am I missing? I rarely design anything individually without some type of collaboration with a willing colleague whose ideas and background may be different from mine (e.g. for this series I'm leading right now).

citywidepl — 2024-05-23 21:20:43 UTC

I'm thinking about which marginalized identities I include as resources and guides for my own thinking and which I don't often think about. I usually center Black women, girls, femmes and gender expansive folks in my design but I haven't yet thought about ability, immigration status and incarcerated voices.

pdnybg — 2024-05-23 21:24:01 UTC

I chose a short, half-day workshop because it seemed more manageable to look at here. I feel like almost all of the perspectives represented are those of the participants - I invite participants to share connections that they have to trees in a variety of contexts, and then it's mainly me offering some guided opportunities for observation and engagement and then the participants sharing their interpretations and reflections. I do think that the nature of the workshop (forest exploration) reflects my own comfort and connection with the natural world, which carries historical and racial advantages that I've had in my access to and experience in the natural world as a white person. I have tried to draw widely on diverse perspectives on engagement with the natural world. I don't use any readings in this particular workshop, but I often share a set of readings about several women of color and their experiences in connecting to the natural world.

2024-05-23 21:25:31 UTC

It really made me reflect on how my passion drives what I choose to highlight in my courses and daily work as a school leader. My positionality as a Black Latina woman, mother, wife, learner, educator and leader helps me to prioritize a nurturing culture where ppl feel safe to speak & be transparent.