The author, Jessica Love is a straight, white cis woman. She personally does not fit the culture of the characters in her book; however, she focuses on teaching the importance of personal expression, love, and acceptance. As a genderfluid person, I didn’t see this as a transgender book, but more of about the freedom of gender expression. This book does a great job challenging the reader’s bias and the social norms around gender expression and identity.

For the parents!
The guiding principles that shape the way I teach social studies center on making all students feel welcome by seeing themselves represented and heard in all aspects of their learning. From reading, writing, math, science and art, I want students to foster a deep sense of self through challenging and critically engaging with topics presented in class. And yes, that is possible even in elementary! My goal is to teach your students that their history matters, their families matter and they matter. In my classroom, students will learn the way of the JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) and how by applying their JEDI skills they can make the world a better place. We will do this by reading books with diverse characters and challenges, talking about historical and current events and including our community as an active member of our classroom. Everyone of my students and you as their caregiver bring unique and important cultural, historical and practical knowledge to our school and I would love every family to have the opportunity to share that with our class throughout the year. This pandemic has brought many challenges to the way we live our lives and young people have been particularly impacted by it in a way we may not understand for years to come. The best way we can support them is to build our foundation even stronger than it was before.

For the kiddos!
What does it mean to be a JEDI?

Justice- challenge dominant narratives and advocate for change

Equity- to behave in a way that considers everyone's needs and is fair

Diversity- celebrate the things that make us similar and different

Inclusion- create space so all identities feel included, represented and heard

I want to convey my excitement in having the opportunity your child’s teacher this year, as well as my excitement for all of the important learning and growth that will take place in our classroom this year. Your child comes to our classroom with so many significant experiences, knowledge, ideas, curiosities and aspirations, which I look forward to both getting to know and developing further. You have my promise that your child will be welcomed, loved, protected, challenged and honored for their unique contributions to our classroom community throughout this school year. I am committed to upholding this promise for all students in our classroom, and I am excited to partner with you in this process. 

As a teacher, I seek to center love and humanization always, bringing an empathetic and compassionate lens to all the work we do, both in and beyond the classroom. I recognize that many of the topics we will cover in class will be challenging and even uncomfortable, just as topics of race, colonialism, and historical dehumanization of all kinds can be challenging and uncomfortable for us as adults and societies to deal with. I recognize too, that the weight of this challenge and discomfort while studying certain topics disproportionately affects some students more than others, as a result of their individual and/or group identities. 

In our classroom, we will learn the hard histories; we will confront the controversial and uncomfortable topics; we will investigate and seek to disrupt dominant narratives that perpetuate oppression; we will celebrate the joys, the ingenuities and the difference-makers from different groups and time periods; and we will reimagine a better and more just future in which students’ see themselves as active participants and change-makers. My goal is that all students leave my classroom with a greater ability to question, investigate, understand, as well as actively and compassionately engage with the world around them. Because our kids are not only capable but eager to participate in this work together. I look forward to partnering with you in your child’s education this year, and I look forward to all the great learning that will take place in our classroom this year.

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(For the kiddos!)

Dear Change-Makers,

I believe that each one of you has a lot of knowledge to share with our class, and also a lot of knowledge to learn from one another. I want you to know that in our class, you will be welcomed, loved, challenged, and honored for your unique contributions to our classroom community. You matter, I believe in you, I am here for you, and I am so happy you are here.

Much of our work in social studies will center on the stories that are told and those that are not always told but should be. It is a sad but very real fact that throughout history, some people have told stories that are untrue about a group of people, which have then oppressed or hurt those people. As much as we wish it were not true, things have happened in our history that are not fair and are wrong. But there is so much about our histories and our world today that are inspiring and joyful and are examples of how powerful people can be when they work together to make the world a better place. Our work in this class is to investigate those stories, find the un- or under-told stories, and contribute to better, more just stories being told in the future. You will act as a detective, asking who, when, where, why and how some stories are told and others aren’t, and you will act as difference-makers and leaders deciding which stories should be told in order to make our world a more fair place to live in. I look forward to all the important work we will do together!