Educators explore their multiple identities and lived experiences to build an understanding of how race and ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, age, educational status, religion, geography, primary language, culture, and other forms of human diversity shape identity, perspectives, and worldviews. Understanding self is an ongoing process of reflection and learning so that educators can adapt to meet the needs of others.

Positionally encompasses what an individual perceives as their personal values, views and the places they inhabit that informs the way and how they engage with others and the world. Positionally is at the center of understanding one's place within the dynamics of power and privilege. For example, gender, race, sexual preference, socioeconomic status, marital status and other aspects of your social identify shape how you are perceived and how you move through your community. Certain social identities can also shape your values and biases through the things you say, think and do whether it is intentional or not. Depending on your positionally within society, your lived experience is different or similar to others depending on the intersection of your identities. Additionally, your positionally entails the access you have to resources within society.

(Adapted from Universal Design for Learning for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility)