Educate to Elevate
As if a pandemic were not enough, once again, teachers are being called to step forward and rise up in service to our culture, our society, our communities, our humanity. Our passion to open the hearts and minds of children and empower them through learning is being called forth to make a difference through education. “Educate” related to educere “bring out, lead forth”.
In the spirit of teaching, we must all EDUCATE TO ELEVATE minds and hearts
beyond the darkness of ignorance and into enLIGHTenment
in order to set us all free.
How will you choose to make a difference and bring forth a more clear vision of what diversity, inclusion and social justice mean and what they will look like in your classroom?
In teaching, we know that true learning doesn’t occur for the student unless we can elevate their learning. We use Bloom’s Taxonomy to move students through higher levels of thinking in order for them to evaluate and synthesize the input they are receiving and interpreting. We consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as a guide to help students self-actualize and become the best version of themselves that they can be. We start learning with Essential Questions, which come from bigger picture perspectives and global/human understandings that help our students get a “sense” of who they are and how they fit into this world (the essence of being and life).
So, as you read and reflect on the resources I have shared below,
I invite all teachers to STEP forward and RISE UP :
Survey and study
Take it in and tap in to how you feel
Evaluate emotions to better inform your choices
Process input and create an intention/lesson plan
so that you can learn, move forward and…
Remember that you can make a difference
Integrate what you have learned
Synthesize and sharpen your lenses for the bigger picture
Exemplify, educate and elevate
in order to help your students to…
Understand
People and perspectives
Here are some resources to lead your heart and that of your students into a better world of loving acceptance, freedom and peace.
15 Classroom Resources for Teaching About Racism: EdWeek
ACTFL – Resources for Educators That Address Issues of Race, Diversity, and Social Justice
A Day in Our Shoes – books about inclusion and diversity
Anti-bias Education – Create civil and inclusive school communities
Anti-Racism Resources – Document compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein in May 2020
Books That Celebrate Diversity for 7th and 8th Graders
Children’s Books About Race and Gender from Amy Poehler and A Mighty Girl
Children’s Books That Celebrate Diversity
Children’s Books to Support Conversations About Race
Common Sense Media – Books About Racism and Social Justice (and other “Best of” for Kids)
Culturally Responsive Leadership
Culturally Responsive Teaching – Edutopia
Diverse Book Choices for All Grade Levels – Edutopia
Envision a Better School Experience – KQED
Free Social Impact Courses You Can Sign Up For from One Commune
Free Resources from One Commune
Multicultural Children’s Books That Make the World a Better Place
Picture Books that Promote Inclusion and Diversity
Racial Justice Resources – Compiled and Shared from Amy Ahlers – The Wake Up Coach
Raising Race Conscious Children
Resources and Where to Start Teaching About Diversity for White Teachers
Smithsonian NMAAHC resources – Talking About Race
Zinn Education Project – Teaching People’s History Perspectives
Inspirational Song – “I See You in Me”
“23 – My Favorite Place” by MellieRene4 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
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