https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97 Please take a moment to respond to ONE of the following questions. Also, please comment on any TWO of your colleagues' posts. en-us 2021-01-27 16:35:23 UTC 2021-03-12 17:01:04 UTC hello@padlet.com skeesee1 https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1228646989 2021-02-22 20:33:39 UTC https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1228646989 glewis18 https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1229505994 This is something that I have thought about intentionally especially this year. I have personally made it a point to have intentional and open conversations with my class about what racism is and how it affects people. On Halloween a student from a different class came dressed in blackface. I posed the question to my class of why this was offensive.  In addition to having age appropriate conversations about segregation and white supremacy, I have also made it a point to honor and uplift students of color in my class. Being a person of color I never received the recognition of my culture. I hope to be a model for my students who are minorities and my students who are white to stand up against discrimination. I have a a lot to work on but I do feel like I am taking the right steps. 

]]> 2021-02-23 02:58:47 UTC https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1229505994 eberarducci https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1242105673 2021-02-25 17:04:45 UTC https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1242105673 eberarducci https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1243191609 2021-02-25 20:39:10 UTC https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1243191609 eswanson20 https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1247198139 2021-02-26 21:46:19 UTC https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1247198139 skeesee1 https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1265574367 This was my goal this past year and this.  I have done a lot of research on this topic and how to best address.  Including attending the MTSS conference and CU Boulder the teaching in Social and Emotional Learning.  I think the answer to this is more than just one step. I think  a lot can be done at the district level like making sure IEP, GT, etc. etc. percentage numbers match the white students. For example, if 3% of white students are gifted than 3% of our EB population must also be gifted. 

In the classroom, I give all students a voice. We have done projects where we talk about our traditions, our beliefs, even what makes our names.  I ordered about 15 children's books that speak about diversity and we talk about it after.  I make sure to bring in diverse characters, as well.  I focus on diversity.  Not just color, but LBGTQ,  sex, etc. etc.   I taught about segregation and MLK and we have started to have meaningful discussions where we learn about our mistakes we make in our whiteness.  

I am still learning though. I think at the 2nd grade building awareness and learning to honor we are all different and to celebrate that is a start. 

]]> 2021-03-03 19:08:15 UTC https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1265574367 alaliberte2 https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1266981970 Recently I chose to speak up when I witnessed a problematic misunderstanding of a situation. It was during our most recent PD when the speaker was talking about microaggressions. Someone who I was sitting with during the presentation did not understand why being called articulate as an African American woman was a microaggression. This person was quick to say, "but that's not a microaggression if it is said to a white person?" We were able to have a constructive conversation about how this comment could be perceived as offensive by one group based on ingrained stereotypes. The conversation went well and I was happy I took the risk to challenge her thinking. ]]> 2021-03-04 02:52:17 UTC https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1266981970 eberarducci https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1293988454 This was actually the quote that I selected for my chapter reflection because as I read it I was struck by an array of emotions. First I was filled with hope. I thought, “Yes! A simple, actionable answer to address the first steps in challenging structural racism and white supremacy!” And then I reflected some more, and I was filled with sadness. This may seem like a “simple solution,” but it clearly isn’t. This whole book is an explanation as to the complexities that go into having discussions about race, especially for white people. And as I realized that it couldn’t be that simple, I was filled with frustration. White fragility is the biggest obstacle that needs to be overcome in order for something that shouldn’t be revolutionary, but obvious!  (But it clearly is revolutionary, given the fact that we still have yet to get there). I remembered back to the expectations that I may not feel a sense of closure or resolution, that these conversations were ongoing. I accept the lack of resolution in easily getting everyone to follow this approach. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t stop actively trying to make it ubiquitous and ensuring that I take this approach whenever presented with the opportunity.]]> 2021-03-10 16:59:08 UTC https://padlet.com/awither/o3jp9dvwcp8f5v97/wish/1293988454