Examine Who We Are

Examine Who We Are

The powerful practices are how we build student engagement in community and in learning, through research-based culturally responsive practices in classrooms and schools.

All school stakeholders (administrators, teachers, students, parents, and partners):

1. identify and affirm our own/others cultural beliefs and values
2. interrogate and strive for awareness of our personal biases, privilege, and challenge assumptions that our own values are the “norm.”
3. advocate for and actively listen to those who are not represented or included in the story or conversation, are too seldom considered, or sometimes ignored or discounted.
   
   

Students say/show/feel:

• their own knowledge, experiences, and values are affirmed daily
• they learn about, affirm, and strengthen their own racial, ethnic, and gender identities
• they can be their authentic selves in the classroom, and ensure everyone else can too
  

Teachers & Students say/show/feel:

• learning about others' families and cultures that are different than theirs is important and valuable
• critically analyzing and critiquing views and practices is normalized
• advocating for representation, inclusion, and examination is encouraged and welcome
  

Teachers say/show/feel that:

• they reflect on their identity, and how positional (and other forms of) power manifest in the classroom.
• they continually examine what is informing their perspectives, assumptions, norms, choices, and practices in the classroom and with the school community
  
  

School leaders and School leadership teams Departments ILT’s, LSC’s, SVC’s, etc (Youth, Adult, Intergenerational)

• know about and continually seek understanding of the varied identities and values of students and staff
• ensure the environment, policies, language, and practices within the school affirm the identities and cultures of students and staff
• normalize reflection and critical analysis views, practices, and policies
• support and encourage teachers and students to examine assumptions and biases on their own and with others, regularly
• learn about social, political, environmental, and economic issues that impact students, staff, and families on their own and with their teams
• regularly analyze, criticize, and take action to disrupt systemic racism and bias
  
  

• StoryCorps: How Shall We Live Together?

• More coming soon!