Why are pronouns important? By: Holly Blais and Katie Engebretson We, Katie and Holly, offered to write this blog post about "pronouns" to help teachers understand the "why" behind it. Initally we talked about all of the info we could present, or links, facts and ideas. It didn't sit well with us. It is not about telling but us holding a space for lived experiences to be shared and hopefully heard. Pronouns are important and here is why it matters to you Blue Hawks. "What we are ethically called to do is create a safe space in our schools and classrooms where all students can walk in and, for that day or hour, take off the crushing weight of their armor, hang it on a rack, and open their heart to truly be seen." Brene Brown, Daring Classrooms. You are respected. You are safe. You belong. Step through the threshold into our community and it is expected that all of us demonstrate one of our core values: Respect . We are all Blue Hawks. We are a part of
When I received my copy of Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance ) magazine last month and read the cover article on the “Curb-Cut Effect,” a lightbulb went off. This was such a clear and concise way to explain much of what we are trying to do through our DEIJ work. You can read the article here , but this is the gist of what I took away: In the 1970s we started cutting curbs in cities and installing ramps to improve access to city spaces for people in wheelchairs. It was a targeted intervention to help one group of people. In the 50 years since then, curb-cuts and ramps have improved accessibility for people with strollers, delivery men and women, those with luggage, etc. A targeted intervention for one group has improved conditions for many other groups . Making changes to our teaching practice or school policy to improve access to our curriculum, the physical building, our extracurricular activities, or our school community and culture as a whole, for any one stu