https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9 en-us 2020-07-06 22:02:39 UTC 2026-03-17 00:41:53 UTC hello@padlet.com mblohman https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648676213 I am a straight female who just turned 20
European American 
Dutch, Armenian (and I guess American - I grew up in New Jersey)]]> 2020-07-06 22:05:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648676213 mblohman https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648678804 My father is Dutch. He grew up in the Netherlands, so I speak Dutch, frequently visit my family in the Netherlands, and often go on trips in other countries in Europe/Asia. I have been to almost every country in Europe.

My parents and I lived in Russia for the first few years of my life, and when I was 13 my family and I lived in Cusco, Peru. 

I also had a lot of au pairs from various countries as a child that I am still very close with. Our most recent au pair and I are planning a trip to Greece together :) ]]> 2020-07-06 22:10:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648678804 mblohman https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648679293 We are a middle class family that lives in Maplewood, New Jersey. 

My parents are married, I have two younger brothers (19 and 14) and a golden retriever. 

My family identifies as Christian. I celebrate Christmas but I personally identify more with atheism ]]> 2020-07-06 22:11:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648679293 mblohman https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648684421 I had plenty of opportunities to learn. I went to public schools my whole life and got an education that I now appreciate far more than I did while I was a student. I have been able to do a lot of unpaid internships, extra classes because I was interested, fun and educational camps, and don't have to worry too much about student loans because my parents can afford it. 

I was always aware that as a middle class white girl I had a lot of opportunities that others did not have, but the moment I truly realized the opportunities I had was when I worked with high schoolers in Philadelphia public schools to help write their college essays. It was astounding the difference in writing skills. I am only 2 or 3 years older than most of those students, but the difference was shocking. ]]> 2020-07-06 22:21:06 UTC https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648684421 mblohman https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648684750 How I was raised
I'm not sure if I necessarily consider this a bias, but I find that it is very important for me to keep in mind that not everyone grew up the same way I did. As a work study position through Drexel, I host virtual art classes via Facebook Live twice a week using household objects, and it's important for me to remember that not everyone's "normal" is exactly like mine. For example, not everyone has a front lawn to stick DIY lawn signs in.

Religion
I grew up celebrating Christmas, but I never went to church, read the Bible, prayed, etc. I identify more with atheism than anything else, and I don’t know if there is a higher being or a god up there (although I hope there is). Since I consider myself an atheist, I need to be aware of any unconscious biases I have about students and families with differing religious views.

Politics
I grew up very liberal, so one of my conscious biases is definitely politics. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but that is a bias that I definitely notice in my life. 

Working in schools, I will definitely encounter students and parents who do not share my religious and political views, and letting those biases affect how I treat students and their parents is something incredibly important to keep in mind. ]]> 2020-07-06 22:21:56 UTC https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648684750 mblohman https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648693361 I hope to connect with each and every one of my students. I strongly want to be a teacher in an urban school because, as the textbook mentioned, often working in urban schools is similar to fighting for social justice, and I hope to contribute to students fighting for justice in any way I can. ]]> 2020-07-06 22:39:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mblohman/ilsia0vgyfc98ib9/wish/648693361