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Teaching is not a neutral exercise. I understand it as a political act. Click on the arrow to read more about how equity is foundational to my educational pedagogy.
Teaching is not a neutral exercise. I understand it as a political act. Click on the arrow to read more about how equity is foundational to my educational pedagogy.
For me, social justice must orient all of my decisions and practices as an educator. The first step in this is continually scrutinizing my own biases. The only way to make a warm and inclusive learning environment is to forge trusting and genuine relationships with students where they feel respected and valued. Second, I need to be acutely aware that the inequities that permeate American society are very much present inside the classroom. As a teacher, I need to take a whole child approach and attend with empathy to the diverse needs of my students and take concrete actions to support efforts to end inequities in all of its guises. Not only should students not be punished for circumstances outside of their control, they should also be lifted up so they can achieve to their fullest potential. Equity also requires making meaningful pedagogical and curricular changes that promote anti-racism and multiculturalism.
Dominican University presentations that concern equity in education
Dominican University presentations that concern equity in education
Social science as a vehicle for creating critical global citizens
Social science as a vehicle for creating critical global citizens
American History
American History
I taught an 8th grade American History course at Venetia Valley School. In this course, I focused on aiding students in seeing the through-lines of history. We asked hard questions about our country's past to help us understand the roots of contemporary problems, such as inequality, sexism, and racism. Students developed their historiographical skills. They learned how to critically read historical narratives to assess their credibility. Multiple narratives of United States history were continually examined rather than an over-reliance on a single textbook. Student accessed primary sources and learned to think like a historian. Groups rendered invisible in dominant historical narratives (e.g., women, people of color, LGTBQ, etc.) were given their historical space.
Teaching with a social justice framework
Teaching with a social justice framework
Sample lesson plans, unit plans, and student work
Sample lesson plans, unit plans, and student work
AQ: Why do people migrate?
Digital Portfolio Slavery and Resistance prior to Civil War, Unit Plan (in progress)Unit Plans: Slavery and Resistance Prior to the Civil War; Reconstruction and Redemption
AbolitionistsExamples of student collaborative Jamboard from Mini-unit practice lessons on the Abolitionist Movement
Standards-Based Grading: making grading more equitable and meaningful
Standards-Based Grading: making grading more equitable and meaningful
Standards based grading provides one powerful way to make everyday educational practices more equitable. While it is vital to create more equitable curriculum and examine our implicit biases, if we do not change concrete practices, like grading, equity stays at the level of discourse. Grading is one important way to address equity in concrete ways. Standards-based grading, especially when paired with Backwards Design, can be a powerful way to create more transparent systems that enable educators to track student progress and empower students as agents in their own education. Check out Joe Feldman's book to learn more about how grading can be made more equitable, transparent, and meaningful.
Professional Development: becoming a more equitable educator
Professional Development: becoming a more equitable educator
I am committed to continually pursuing professional development opportunities to ensure I am not only committed to equitable education but that I also have the skills to deliver more equitable education to my students. Below are some example of trainings I pursued in my own time while at Dominican University.
Building Equitable Learning Environments in Crisis Mode
Building Equitable Learning Environments in Crisis Mode
English Learner Webinar from Teaching for Tolerance
English Learner Webinar from Teaching for Tolerance
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