Final Thoughts

I've always considered myself fortunate to teach in the "diverse" setting where I work. I grew up in a white neighborhood, went to white schools, and had white friends. It wasn't because I had anything against anyone who wasn't like me. I just didn't know anyone who wasn't white, middle class, and Christian. I didn't meet anyone who was Jewish until I went to college! I didn't gain any "black" friends until I started my current job (which was only 4 years ago!). The children I am blessed to work with every day are African-American or Latino. They come for low SES situations. I see it as my duty to prepare them for real life and to show them that I care about them and I am constantly going to be around. I'm sure it's hard for them to take me seriously sometimes because I have NO personal experience as to what it's like to live their lives.

I am a proud member of the Human Rights Campaign. I am passionate about equal rights for everyone, but specifically for the LGBTQ community. This resonates with me for whatever reason. Through this course I have come to connect this community to the other communities who face discrimination because of their beliefs/backgrounds, etc. I know that I have students in my class who are what they are on the outside, and are struggling to match that with what they feel on the inside. I try to teach my students acceptance of all, and I was probably overheard (by a lesbian co-worker, no less) saying to the kids, "Saying someone is 'gay' is NOT an insult! It shouldn't be used to describe anything negatively!" I wish the kids could see the damage their words may cause.

I am part of the mainstream. I'm comfortable enough with myself to not shy away from new experiences, but I can certainly feel out of place or that I "don't belong." Sometimes, it's important to draw on those past experiences when dealing with the students in our class. They may feel like they don't belong, and subsequently (or consequently) do whatever it takes to prove their worth. I think that as educators, we need to be in tune to those notions. It's not hard to tell when a kiddo feels less than adequate. We need to encourage others to accept those kids. The truth of it is  that we don't know what is going on in our students' heads most of the times. Sometimes, it's too late. Like Justin in our case studies, we may not know anything is wrong until we notice something in the work they hand in.

We are here to advocate for our students, and they should feel safe at school. Sensitivity training is so important for teachers and students alike. I have appreciated the thoughts and conversations of my classmates. It seems that we're all in this for the right reasons, and there are some great ideas for how to help our kiddos.

How do you hope to incorporate some sort of stability, sensitivity, or safety in your classroom so everyone knows they are part of the group and that they belong?