Classrooms filled with diversity and opportunities
Kayla Levenson, NY As I am going to be an elementary school teacher in the future, it is important to me that everyone in my...
Empowering every student, embracing all backgrounds.
Darcie S Wallace, West Islip, NY As someone studying to be an elementary school teacher, it is essential that every student in my future classroom...
Each student deserves an equal opportunity.
Olivia Esposito, Wantagh, NY My experiences and understanding that prompted me to choose my six words was the idea that when I become a classroom...
“Don’t act your color”? We’re radiant!
Avis Danette Matthews, Glenarden, MD “Don’t act your color.” I recall hearing that phrase a lot while growing up in the ’60s in Prince George’s...
I was the only white teacher…
Alena, Des Moines, IA. I was the only white teacher in the City of Little Rock Early Childhood Center, a school partnered with Little Rock...
Mom taught me to love everyone
Robert McAlister, Lexington, SC. Grew up in segregated south in a single parent home. Always felt on the margins but later in life realized my...
I learned I was Black in kindergarten.
Shakira, Phoenix, AZ. One day after our teacher snapped photos of our class she developed them in black and white and scattered them out on...
I will have an inclusive classroom.
Emily Jackman, Durham, NH As a future educator, I am constantly learning new things myself. I want to learn as much as I can to...
I never think of you as Asian.
Virginia, Cambridge, MA. I’m half Filipina. And I’ve always thought of myself as half. But one day at a faculty meeting a colleague told me...
I’m white! Who am I now?
Dave Albertine, Portland, OR I spent my life teaching hundreds of children and working hard to lift these young people up, and celebrate their cultures,...
Why Can’t Anyone Pronounce My Name
Tayeece, NH Since I was born, nobody could pronounce my name. In school, appointments, meeting new people, etc. Everyday I would have to explain the...
White but grew up as minority
Vicki Hohner, Olympia, WA While I am a white midwesterner by origin, I spent most of my formative years as a minority. First as part...
Everybody else is potentially a friend.
Christina, Camarillo, CA I taught PE in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 12 yrs. During Homeroom, we taught our students the “Character Counts...
You shouldn’t have to teach me
Margaret Lisi, Avondale Estates, GA My friend gave me many resources from which to learn about the forces that drove Black Lives Matter, including ”...
Family love comes from open hearts.
June Wells, Harrisonburg, VA My new family saved my life. I was finally safe and just one of “the kids” with my foster parents, Sam...
Family love comes from open hearts.
June Wells, Harrisonburg, VA My new family saved my life. I was finally safe and just one of “the kids” with my foster parents, Sam...
Music teacher listening to student cries
Jamie Coppa, Asbury Park, NJ. As a music teacher with an almost entirely black and hispanic student body, I was met with stories of oppression,...
