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Represent Us All

Take A Walk With Me

Imagine being a six year old on your first day of first grade. You are full of excitement mixed with a tad bit nervousness, wondering what friends will be in your class. You get in class and EVERYONE, with the exception of one kid, looks like you. Read aloud time begins to be your favorite time of the day because the books remind you of your family and friends. You learn about amazing people who have done great things. You learn the story of how our land was discovered, all about our founding fathers, and how throughout history advancements were made with inventions of all kinds. Names are dropped and pictures are shown of people like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Christopher Columbus and you think to yourself that one day that could be you. You absolutely love school and enjoy learning about the greats. You get inspired to grow up to be anything you want to be. 

Representation Matter Blog Post

Now imagine being another six year old in that same class. You are also full of the jitterbugs, wondering who will be in your class and what your teacher will be like. You get in and while the teacher is taking attendance, you look around and realize no one shares your brown skin, not even your teacher. You participate in icebreaker activities and realize you are pretty much the “cultured oddball” of your class. You take deep breaths and tell yourself it’s okay. We’re all here to learn and you are sure your teacher will talk about all different types of people and countries and maybe you’ll get to teach about your culture too! 

A few weeks go by and you are enjoying the many read alouds but you’ve also noticed that none of the book characters share your skin color or culture representations. When you’re taught about “the greats” in various subjects, they all have fair skin. You start to think, “Where are all ‘the greats’ of my people?”. February rolls around and you FINALLY get a taste of color! You learn about some pretty awesome people that look like you, their accomplishments and stories of them overcoming adversity. But all month long that seems to be the central message. Anytime someone stands up against something wrong, they are put in jail or killed.  We learn about slavery and unequal rights. It’s a constant loop of no justice and no peace. It becomes disheartening and you start to think you aren’t capable of amounting to anything. 

The Truth

The saddest part of these two scenarios is that they are happening all over our country in our classrooms right now. The truth of the matter is that representation in our classrooms is lacking and it’s impacting our students, ESPECIALLY our black and brown children. We have the power to change it though and we owe it to our students to do so. The best part is, the first step in using our power can be as simple as sprucing up your classroom library, incorporating cultured decor on your walls, or talking to your administration about hiring a diverse staff. Let me tell you just WHY this is so important. 

Johns Hopkins University did a study on the likelihood of college enrollment for our sweet black students. What they found shows just how much representation matters in the classroom. This study reported that “Black students are 13 percent more likely to enter college if they had at least one black teacher by the third grade. The likelihood of college enrollment more than doubles to 32 percent for black students with at least two black teachers in elementary school, according to the study.” Why did that number double? Because those children SAW those teachers everyday and starting imagining what they could do in their own future. If those teachers went to college and became a teacher, I can do that too. If students are constantly learning about amazing engineers, inventors, or activists that have made major contributions in our world, and they look like them, they begin to believe they can accomplish anything. 

Most spaces are dominated by white culture. That’s a fact. Other races wouldn’t be called minorities if it wasn’t. “A 2018 Pew Research report notes that only 20 percent of educators across the country come from minority backgrounds. The data points to a lack of representation in schools.” If our staff isn’t diverse, your spaces aren’t diverse, but the students in your classrooms are- we have a big problem. We as adults know all too well that our environment shapes a lot of who we are. It can have a positive or negative effect on the expectations we later hold for ourselves and others around us. We should do our part to make sure the environments we set up shows people from ALL backgrounds as strong, loving, creative and connected human beings. 

It’s A Start 

So what can we do as educators? First, we acknowledge and understand how important representation is. Kids dress up and dream who they want to be. So show them the world and all the beautiful people in it. We can do that through literature. Reading is one of the most important building blocks of life in my opinion. It opens up doors and possibilities for endless imagination. It challenges us to think and see things from different perspectives. It gives new knowledge and allows us to experience various lives, places, hardships, and lessons- all without leaving our seat. Spruce up your library with diverse books. Be sure the diverse books are written by diverse authors. Read aloud stories with characters that are of all colors, abilities, and genders. Take note of the cultures represented in front of you and make it a point to get books that reflect them. If you can’t afford to buy all the diverse books your heart desires, utilize your libraries. They are an amazing resource because they are FREE and they are able to get books from other libraries if they don’t have what you’re looking for. You can also create projects through Donors Choose. If you don’t know where to start on where to find books, here are some great resources to check out:

Charnaie over at Here Wee Read or @hereweeread on Instagram

Vera at The Tutu Teacher or @diversereads on Instagram

The Tiny Activists or @thetinyactivists on Instagram

Creating an inclusive space is another important piece of making sure kids are represented. When you look around your room, the decor on your walls should reflect the languages and cultures of the kids in your class. Don’t know what to put up exactly? Ask your students! Get your student’s families involved. Again, utilize your resources. When it comes to curriculum, do your research before blindly teaching something that may be untrue or has crucial information that has been omitted. If you realize that your curriculum isn’t inclusive, supplement it with great resources that again are from diverse authors. Branch out and teach about people you haven’t heard of so that you too can learn more because that’s what life is all about- learning. If you need a start on where to find some great curriculum resources or diverse decor here are some starters:

Monique at It’s Monique’s World or @itsmoniquesworld on Instagram 

Naomi over at Read Like A Rockstar or @readlikearockstar on Instagram

LaNesha at Education With An Apron or @aproneducation on Instagram

The last thing I can encourage is to be an advocate. Stand up for the minorities that aren’t represented in your spaces. Use your voice to be an ally. Staff in all spaces, but especially in education, should be diverse. If your school is ANY percent African American, Native American, Indian, Asian, etc, then the teachers and administrators should also be of that demographic. Help create changes by bringing up these topics in professional development meetings. Hold your principal accountable for hiring individuals that represent your learners. Decorate the school campus to be an inclusive and welcoming place for all. Host cultural nights for the community. Educate yourself and spread the knowledge. Your students’ futures depend on it. 

Before I go, I want to say thank you for taking the time to read this blog. The dedication to this avenue of knowledge is crucial for the future of our country. If you are doing the work to be an anti racist, I say thank you and keep it up. It’s not an easy or short road but it HAS to be done. A few months back I was researching black history resources and I realized how many individuals are left out in common curriculums. We tend to stay on the familiar path of “the greats” we know and love – MLK Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, etc. As great as they were, there are so many more that are not so frequently talked about and I’ve made it a point to showcase their stories. I will be creating resources of these individuals that will all include an ebook, digital and print board games, vocabulary activities, and a community involvement action. The first one is on an amazing man named Robert Smalls and I hope you’ll check him out. This will be the first of MANY diamonds in the rough in African American history so be sure to check back on who you can learn more about. 

Robert Smalls Resource

Robert Smalls Unit Study

I truly hope you enjoyed reading about why representation matters so much and how you can help impact your students. Be sure to check me out on Instagram @life.long.learners. Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list! Not only will you get the most up to date tips, tricks, and classroom projects… and of course more fun FREEBIES including the I Am Enough Affirmation FREEBIE!

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It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! This week I It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 

This week I have an EXCLUSIVE End of the Year Organizational Checklist FREEBIE! 🎉

This checklist can help you pack up your classroom whether you are getting stuff stored, moving classrooms, or even... moving schools! 😬

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How adorable is this end of the year treat from @s How adorable is this end of the year treat from @sunshineandrainbowsinteaching?! 

Check out her page to learn how to make these delicious snacks! 😋 
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If this ain’t the truth! 😂 What’s your go If this ain’t the truth! 😂

What’s your go to candy? Mine is Reese’s for sure!

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One of my favorite books to end the year together. One of my favorite books to end the year together. *Warning* I cry reading it EVERY year! 😭

When is your last day?

Check out my end of the year blog post for more fun ways to end the school year together! 🥳
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Now what if you’re a teacher AND a parent? 😵‍💫
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Still looking for an end of the year gift for your Still looking for an end of the year gift for your students?

Writing notes to students is one of my favorite gifts for them. 

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Have you ever let your students help you clean up Have you ever let your students help you clean up the room at the end of the year?

When we begin to take down the things on the walls, one of the things to go is our word/sound wall. 

Well who says this can’t turn into a game? When you take down all the important words from the year together, put them in a circle and have a word/sound hunt for them. 

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Have you seen this brand new book?! Hello Anger is by @jessicasinarski and discusses how to deal with that overwhelming feeling of anger. 😡 This amazing book helps children understand how to better control their anger and learn strategies to manage it. You can W*I*N your own copy now! Entering is easy!1️⃣ Make sure you’re following me 2️⃣ Make sure you’re following @nationalcenterforyouthissues 3️⃣ Tag some friends who would love to win too!✨ BONUS: Share this to your stories and make sure to tag me! ✨I will choose 2 LUCKY WINNERS Sunday evening! ❤️••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #iteachtoo #igconnect4edu #growthmindset #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #socialemotionaldevelopment #socialemotionallearning #socialskills #childrensbooks #readaloud #nationalcenterforyouthissues ... See MoreSee Less

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Which type are you?! I’m like a good mix of both! 🤣 Let us know which one you are below! ⬇️Learn 5 easy end of the year organization tips too!{🔗 on profile}••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #iteachtoo #igconnect4edu #classroomdecor #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teachergram #primaryteacher #teacherquotes #teacherorganization #classroomorganization #teacherfun ... See MoreSee Less

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It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! This week I have an EXCLUSIVE End of the Year Organizational Checklist FREEBIE! 🎉This checklist can help you pack up your classroom whether you are getting stuff stored, moving classrooms, or even... moving schools! 😬There’s also a blank version for you to add your own to-do items! Grab yours now! 📦 {🔗 on profile}••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #iteachtoo #igconnect4edu #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teacherbloggers #primaryteacher #endoftheschoolyear #classroomorganization #teacherorganization #teacherblogger ... See MoreSee Less

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  • Are you struggling with your classroom seating arrangement for your elementary classroom? Check out my ultimate flexible seating guide that you can use to make your back to school planning easy. Learn all of the benefits of flexible seating and how it can enhance student engagement and learning in the classroom. I include a list of other classroom seating ideas like wobble stools and scoop rockers. I also talk about flexible seating expectations and how to use a flexible seating choice board.
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  • Back to school is right around the corner! As a busy teacher, you are probably feeling overwhelmed with your long back to school to-do list! Today, I am sharing how you can crush the first week of school. I am sharing back to school activities for building a strong classroom community including getting to know you activities. I also also a back to school survival guide and back to school read alouds. Find first week lesson plans and more!
  • Are you struggling with your classroom seating arrangement for your elementary classroom? Check out my ultimate flexible seating guide that you can use to make your back to school planning easy. Learn all of the benefits of flexible seating and how it can enhance student engagement and learning in the classroom. I include a list of other classroom seating ideas like wobble stools and scoop rockers. I also talk about flexible seating expectations and how to use a flexible seating choice board.
  • Are you getting ready to go back to school with some classroom planning? Check out my ultimate back to school guide for teachers in this blog post. I will give you everything you need to succeed for the beginning of the school year with these teaching resources. See how I set up my classroom, how I incorporate social emotional learning, how to create structure and expectation for students and much more. You also won’t want to miss my back to school freebie - a classroom setup checklist.

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