Week 1

What did I do this week?-This week I finished working on Citizenship in the Society, I had to email Mrs.Stone and ask her "How she makes a significant impact on the school with Diversity, equality, and inclusion"? 

What do I plan on doing next? I plan to talk to a counselor about citizenship in society and then I plan on starting either personal fitness or Communications merit badge.

Did I meet my goal? My goal this week was to email Ms. stone and complete that merit badge so yes I did complete it.

When I emailed Ms. Stone to ask her questions she gave me the most amazing and changing responses that I don't think anyone could have done any better. I want to share those with Everyone and you because it is just truly amazing the things that she does to help

"What inspired you to be who you are today?"

I come from a wicked strong line of women. They modeled for me the aspects of life that were important - service to others, generosity, integrity and education. As the eldest sibling, I was put in a position of leadership and independence early in my life. My parents taught me how to take care of others and myself, and that confidence is what propels me everyday in this career. They fostered in me a love of the unknown, and then taught me the skills to find the answers. 

The fight against willful ignorance - of others and the world beyond, is one of the most difficult things I wrestle with daily. I cringe when I hear people say they never want to leave Ohio or the United States…I was fortunate enough to travel internationally as a child and that wanderlust is what built the scaffolding of our JAGS program. What makes me cringe even more is listening to people talking about politics and the intersection of religion and nationalism in our country…not to mention the stripping of rights away from people (women, POC, migrants and the LGBT+ community) and protecting corporations, lobbyists and politicians who do not remotely represent the people I encounter daily. 

Argh…I have strong political opinions and they conflict with the direction Ohio seems to be moving towards.

"What kinds of challenges have you experienced while trying to promote Equality and helping our community?"

POLITICS, POLITICS, POLITICS!

There can be no equality or equity for ALL people if there is a section of our community that wants to destroy those who love differently, worship differently, look and act differently than themselves. How can we advance our society if corporations have more rights than individuals? How can we become our best selves if half our country believes the other half is amoral and/or an abomination and that their 'personhood' should not be included? That has been my challenge, how do you break that mindset?

You do it through education.

Education is the one thing that no single human being, authority figure or law can take from you. Knowledge is yours - and it is a right. We should all be fighting HARD to ensure there are no infringements on people's access to information. Unfortunately, there are people in this country trying to limit educational opportunities through censorship, lies and propaganda. They are the biggest challenge to progress.

"What do you feel has contributed to your success in Promoting Equality in our school and society?"

Education. It's not cliche’ when teachers say they are life-long learners. Because I've had the confidence to take on challenges and have the intelligence to adapt and learn, I can see/evaluate/support different perspectives. JAGS has been pivotal in this process! I mean, ‘Recognize Perspectives’ is one of our pillars for a reason:) If I don't model that behavior, how can I expect my students to do it, or expect the world to get any better? Our school administration believes in me, and my professionalism. They have supported my pursuits through educational travel (I have won several fellowships to study abroad and have taught in schools in Turkey and China) and we (the Jackson Staff) have worked side by side to build programs like JAGS, the LGBT+ Alliance, FUSE and the Black Student Union, that promote equality for all students - even when they run counter to the establishment. Personally, I think we could do a better job of this if our schools were not unconstitutionally funded in Ohio...but that is for another interview question.

I am excited to be working with Gen Z! I love how most students your age view equality and diversity - The JAGS kids that I see everyday ask the hard questions and push back against old ways of thinking. Right now we are in a political crisis because of the people in power. Once your generation takes their rightful place in our government, I see the rights of all being championed and protected. 

-Ms. Stone