Where we invest our time says everything about what we value, right?

Hey Advocates,

I spent a couple of days in Boise on a field trip with my son this week. We had a blast and we both enjoyed learning about the state of Idaho.

 I'm currently on a plane preparing to keynote at the Maryland State Child Care Association (MSCCA) Conference, the top professional association for licensed child care and early learning centers in the state of Maryland. During my speech, I'll be posing a simple yet critical question to the audience: "Are you culturally responsive?"

I'd love to speak to your teachers, leadership, staff, or students for your summer or back to school events. Check out what the Leading Equity Center has to offer and let's chat!

Reality is a relative term. You and I can live in the same house, in the same town, and eat the same food every night at dinner, but we can occupy two different realities. The bottom line, based on many factors, our realities are different.

Why am I bringing this up? We have to recognize that reality isn't one thing when we investigate ways to connect the school with a kid's reality. We must do a lot of listening and exploring because kids will opt into learning if we can demonstrate that the curriculum connects with their reality.

Additionally, connecting the school with a kid's reality requires us to be proximate to the community we serve. Proximity goes beyond sharing classroom space. Are you familiar with what the community surrounding the school is like? Have you considered what it's like for a student to walk home versus what it's like to walk in your neighborhood? Perhaps you have thought about what it's like to go to synagogues, temples, mosques, or churches like you. If you answered "no" to any of these questions, consider how to get close to kids through community events, activities, and shared interests. 

Sometimes teachers will tell me, "Oh, it's so hard to get to know black students," or "It's so hard to get to know my Asian American students," "So hard to get to know my gay or lesbian, bisexual, transgender students," or "It's so hard to get to know my students with disabilities." My response is simple, "no, it's not." 

I was asked to teach US Virgin Islands History when I started teaching. I remember telling the principal, "I don't feel comfortable because I'm not from here." His response today sticks with me: "You are here, and I want you to learn about our culture and community. Study it." If you are trying to find ways to connect with identities different from your own, study them. Invest your time like you would in any other new interest, such as a hobby. Where we invest our time says everything about what we value, right?

Content Created This Week

Those are my thoughts this week. Make sure you check out Monday's podcast episode next week.

Have a great weekend,

-Sheldon

Book Dr. Eakins

Check out what the LEC has to offer!

P.S. Would you take a moment to write a review of my book on Amazon?