Commitment statement

My P.R.I.D.E Statement

Consider how you will support Black children and their families in becoming fully visible in your classroom.

For the Children:

I hope that P.R.I.D.E can have a profound impact on the education and personal growth of the children I teach. By providing an environment rooted in principles of equity, justice, truth, liberation, and freedom, P.R.I.D.E can facilitate the development of essential life skills, confidence, and self-awareness in our students. My aspiration is to create a nurturing space where children feel safe expressing their emotions, identities, concerns, and pursuit of justice, ultimately leading to improved emotional regulation and overall well-being. Through group activities and community involvement, P.R.I.D.E can also enhance their social skills, empathy, and cooperation, preparing them for healthy relationships and interactions in the future.

For their families? If your hopes are realized, how will it benefit them? 

For Families:

Parenting Support: P.R.I.D.E can equip parents with effective parenting techniques and strategies through workshops and counseling, enhancing their ability to support their children's growth and development. Access to Resources: Families may gain access to valuable resources such as educational materials, counseling services, and information about community support, helping them navigate challenges and make informed decisions. Empowerment and Confidence: With the support of P.R.I.D.E, parents can feel more empowered and confident in their parenting skills and their ability to positively impact their children's lives. Sense of Community: P.R.I.D.E's programs can foster a sense of community among families, enabling them to connect with others facing similar challenges, share experiences, and provide mutual support expecifically for Black and Browne families in my community.

Where do your hopes come from? On whose theories, philosophies, and research are your goals based?

My hopes are deeply rooted in the empathy and care I experienced within my family, community members, and the village of Mboloyel in Senegal, West Africa, where I was privileged to grow up. This small village instilled in me a profound sense of community, where solidarity and shared customs, traditions, and values were integral to daily life. The value of education was emphasized early on, recognizing it as a means to uplift our community and create opportunities for future generations. Additionally, my inspiration draws from the book "Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching and Learning" by Gholdy Muhammad, which shows that teaching justice, truth, equity, and freedom is possible in all classrooms, especially in Early Childhood classrooms. Research supports that not only Black and Brown children benefit from this approach, but all children can benefit from learning through anti-bias education.

How do you assess/evaluate success in achieving these goals? 

I will evaluate the success of this goals by: 

Evaluating the achievement of these goals, I will measure how effectively we support Black children and their families in becoming fully visible in our classroom and community. This will involve ongoing assessments of learning and emotional progress, family engagement, access to resources, and the cultivation of a supportive community. Our success will be reflected in the overall well-being, happiness, joy, justice, freedom, and success of the children and families served by P.R.I.D.E.

• Educational and Emotional Progress: Ongoing assessments of intellectual and emotional growth among children, including improvements in emotional regulation and social skills.

• Family Engagement: Measuring increased participation in family-oriented activities and workshops designed to strengthen family bonds.

• Resource Accessibility: Tracking the utilization of provided resources and services by families, ensuring they have access to valuable support.

• Community Support: Evaluating the sense of community and support within the program, considering participation in community-building events and mutual support among families.

Overall, our success will be reflected in the overall well-being, happiness, joy, justice, freedom, and success of the children and families served by P.R.I.D.E. By assessing these key aspects, we can determine the program's effectiveness in supporting Black children and their families in becoming fully visible in our classroom and community, ultimately achieving our goals.