My manifesto:
I am a teacher who stands up for my students against inequality and systemic racism, who is in favor of permanent change against oppression, who is a supporter of justice against injustice, and who is a defender of BIPOC against white supremacists. I am a teacher who favors the permanent struggle against racism and against social injustice. I am a teacher who rejects the status quo because it is responsible for violence, hatred, and injustice. I am a teacher full of energy, in spite of negativity. I am a teacher who refuses to remain complacent. I am a teacher proud of my students. If I do not
struggle for my students, then I will no longer be doing my job.
Hello Marissa. I admire that you are full of energy in spite of "negativity". It can be hard as a teacher to remain positive during times of uncertainty. I find many similarities in your manifesto compared to mine. I agree with rejecting the status quo because it is the reason for many problems. How can you influence your students to have an open mind set such as yours?
ReplyDeleteHi Andriana,
DeleteThese are challenging times for everyone, so I have really had to think outside of the box in terms of finding ways to keep my students positive. Typically, I spend a lot of time getting to know my students at the beginning of the year. We do a lot of community building activities and lots of work with SEL. Eventually, even my shy students are comfortable speaking out and collaborating with others. I always share my own personal experiences as a teenager, and I think that helps them see that they can achieve anything, if they set their mind to it. I work closely with Highlander Institute and I am a member of the CRT Cohort for Providence educators. I have so many valuable strategies, tips, and tools from them that I implement in my classroom. We do a lot of writing and talking and it allows students to share how they're feeling, while realizing that they are not alone. A growth mindset and celebrating even the smallest of victories tend to keep my students optimistic and hopeful. Positive relationships are so incredibly important. We focus on identity and culture throughout the year, and it helps them to honor their culture, which is vital to their success.
I connect with how deeply you are standing up for your students, I feel this in the expression you hold in your protesting picture and in your manifesto words. How do you anticipate using what that has been unearthed from the "Black Lives Matter" movement to connect, empathize and help heal your students, have them know you see them and their experience as best you are able?
ReplyDeleteHi!
DeleteAlthough it has been difficult with the pandemic, I have connected with many of my students throughout the summer. I helped them organize a peaceful protest and taught them that their voices DO matter. I continue to work with several Racial Justice committees and I take what I learn and utilize it with my students. When traumatic events such as the murder of George Floyd occur, I do not turn my head, or simply provide them with words of comfort. I encourage them to express themselves- even if that means that they might have a few profanities in a poem they create. I always honor their feelings and opinions, and I will never try to tell them that they are wrong for feeling a certain way. I intentionally choose grade level appropriate, culturally relevant pieces so that they can identify with the characters. Additionally, it allows for rich and robust authentic conversations that you just can't ;teach from a textbook. As I prepare for the year ahead, I am especially cognizant of the lessons that I will start off the year with My students have had an incredibly difficult time- between Covid-19 and all of the racism and bigotry that has occurred throughout the last six months. While I am nervous to go back, I can't wait to see my "kiddos" and hopefully get back to some semblance of normalcy.
Hi Marissa,
ReplyDeleteI can feel and appreciate your passion in this manifesto! This really resonated with me because I agree that education is the tool to eliminating racism. We have to push the boundaries to get our voices heard and the voices of our students of color.
Hi Carly,
DeleteAs educators, that is one of our biggest jobs! When speaking with colleagues today, I reminded them that we must keep the momentum going- now is the time to actually make sustainable change. We can't blow it-- it's the year 2020 and enough is enough. Over the summer, my colleagues and I started a book club, using Zaretta Hammond's "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain". I am so excited to use her work in my classes. This year, more than ever before, we will be focusing on utilizing our voices to create change. With everything that is going on in this world, in addition to the fact that it's an election year, ALL of my students will be using their voices as we march in front of the State House. I am blessed to have an AMAZING administrator! :)
I'm not sure why my name isn't coming up but the above comment is from Carly Oguschewitz!
ReplyDeleteCarly, I think there's a setting in blogger that lets you choose a name.
DeleteLove the emphasis on "permanent change" here! Too often education gets stuck in these cycles of reform that don't change the system at all, just tweak it. And the underlying problem of systemic racism remains. Thanks!
ReplyDelete