• Discuss articles and resources regarding improving communication with students to jointly exchange information about .
• This may require courage . Create a “ How I See My Teacher ” survey together for students to complete anonymously .
Tool No . 4 – storientation
Each human being is “ unique and layered ” in every sense of those two words . We have many facets to who we are , and most definitely have a “ story ” regarding our life and what we have experienced . Creating a means for students to tell their stories and share things about their journey in life is not only a way to get to know them better , it is a means to establish “ community ” in your classroom and in your school .
But don ’ t stop there . As you gather your students ’ life stories , notice what they are sharing with you about their learning , clues about what they respond to or are troubled by . If their family has a high opinion of technology and is always excited about electronic offerings , you might give that student the choice of completing their assignments leaning heavily on that world . If their home life makes it difficult for a student to do their homework , you should know that and help them with a strategy .
So much can come to light when students get to tell their story . What they talk about will be valuable for many reasons , including showing you how they can succeed . All you need to do is set up the circumstances for stories to be told . Use “ community circle ” activities , or have them write essays that they read aloud .
Educational equity is about the success of every child and , in particular , the evergrowing need to close achievement gaps and extend access to all students no matter who they are : children of color , English language learners , students with special needs , children experiencing trauma or relentless poverty , students who are refugees or immigrants , LGBTQ students , and anyone who is affected by both conscious and unconscious biases or systemic barriers . It is my belief that equity advocates , like you and I , can help each other to show up in a caring , responsive , dynamic , engaging and neutral manner , while we meet the needs of all of them .
Resources
• Burns , S . ( Oct . 21 , 2013 ). “ 7 Reasons To Join A Mastermind Group .” Forbes magazine . Accessible at https :// goo . gl / 2PxUQD .
• Erie Elementary Student Survey Grades 3-5 ( 2013 ). Survey Monkey , accessible at https :// www . surveymonkey . com / r / NG53PKX .
• Neesen , K . ( March 8 , 2017 ). “ Students , Especially African-Americans , Thrive with Warm , Demanding Teachers .” UVAToday , accessible at https :// news . virginia . edu / content / students-especiallyafrican-americans-thrive-warm-demanding-teachers .
• Safir , S . ( Nov . 4 , 2015 ). “ The Power of Story in School Transformation .” Edutopia , accessible at https :// www . edutopia . org / blog / power-of-story-school-transformation-shane-safir .
• Tuckman , B . ( 1965 ). Stages of Group Development ( Wikipedia ), https :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Tuckman % 27s _ stages _ of _ group _ development .
Aliah MaJon is an educational consultant , longtime diversity specialist , founder of the Next 50 Years Project and an ACSA Equity Partner . Mastermind activities :
• Develop models together for getting students to tell their stories , and while you ’ re at it , tell your story as well .
• Once you learn about your students ’ “ gifts ,” brainstorm how they might be used for academic and / or future goals .
• Share and critique tools for creating a deeper connection with students to help them achieve more in school and in life .
• Be honest with each other about being guilty of culture-blindness , and discuss your ideas and goals for shifting this .
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