Personal Awareness and Responsibility

The "Personal Awareness and Responsibility" sector of the Core Competencies has three different facets: Self-Advocating, Self-Regulating, and Well-being. They center on students developing their confidence and standing up for themselves; taking responsibility for their actions; setting goals, being patient, and persevering; and making choices to manage their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The poems below touch on these subjects in one way or another. Some are uplifting in tone and focus on the opportunities and the beauty of making mistakes, like Imperfect and For Everyone. Others send a fiery message, advocating for themselves against those who would bring them down (e.g. Lost Voices and Knock-Off Native).

Please make sure to preview poems before you show them to your students, as some contain mature content and/or language that may not be suitable for all ages.