A Promise

I vow to…

• Prioritize relationships with students; establish relationships with households as well as other teachers, administrators, counselors, coaches, and mentors to broaden perspective and understanding of individual students rather than seek immediate administrative action. Explore alternative pathways of discipline. Insist that accountability, fairness, and follow-up be pillars of any disciplinary action.

• Stand up to colleagues upon witnessing any discriminating comments or actions. Report any actionable offense to appropriate party.

• Uphold a no-tolerance policy for racism, exclusion, or prejudice (this goes for the school at large, but specifically within my own classroom). Respond to perceived racist comments with empathy, curiosity, and opportunities for dialogue. Respect and accept feedback regarding my own potentially harmful comments or actions. Work as a group to uncover, identify, and process biases.

• Take initiative to educate myself on current events, actionable steps, and appropriate classroom activities to facilitate understanding, address biases, promote justice, and support minorities. Engage with Staff of Color to enhance perspective, receive feedback, and discuss opportunities for learning and advocacy. Collaborate with, support, and endorse student clubs that celebrate identity and diversity.

• Continue to encourage and facilitate mixed groupings of students to promote conversation, collaboration, and learning. Embed moments of reflection into lesson plans.

• Actively discuss culture, identity, diversity, and the related implications of racism and/or oppression. Challenge students to investigate, discuss, and process current and/or historical events related to these themes, as well as any pertinent advocacy work.

• Model and coach others in non-violent communication so that dialogue can be productive, accessible, and transformative (albeit sometimes uncomfortable). Explore a variety of methods, vehicles, and avenues of communication to promote creativity, explore self-expression, and honor diverse learning styles or preferences.

• Feature stories, articles, and other materials or activities that represent and celebrate not only the diversity of the Spanish language but also our school, community, country, and world. Gather information regarding students’ preferences, challenges, goals, etc. to formulate activities that are relevant, tangible, uniting, eye opening, influential, and inspirational. Allow student input to create opportunities for peer-led learning.

• Dedicate time out-of-class to professional development as well as mentorship plans, programs, and opportunities for interested students (i.e. resume building, leadership, etc.) and extended learning opportunities (volunteering, study abroad, internships, service-learning, etc.).

• Recognize that this movement is a not only a process but also a paradigm shift. Respond to learning opportunities with eagerness, grace, patience, and compassion. Honor each individual’s position, perspective, beliefs, identity, experience, and growth (including my own).