Coaching and Learning
Despite a delayed return here, I did manage to carve out some time to prepare for Black History Month–I managed to sit down and quietly read, read great books, escape the news and be inspired. I have so much to say and so much to share–books for fun, for kids, for classrooms, for audible.
So, join me on Canon Reclaimed–on FB & IG–to see all the great texts, stories, and authors to include this month, and every month.
When you read and write and demand diverse literature—it gets noticed.
Last month, I was asked to create and present a webinar on Diverse Literature.
It was my first time leading a webinar—😮— and my first time on this platform. I was incredibly nervous. I knew what I wanted to say, I knew what I had to say, but this was a new forum and presenter experience; so, I didn’t know how to present it exactly, or how it would be received. I also wasn’t sure if my previous presentation skills would transfer, or what could transfer and how to adjust other elements.
I forgot to advertise about it here, but it’s still available! And, it got good reviews–so I have added evidence to say check out: Diverse Literature: How to Make the Right Choice.
**For equity & transparency: there is a cost, no pressure if you cannot afford it. Additionally, know that more attendees does not impact compensation. I received a flat $500 payment and merely wanted to share so that if you were interested, you could attend 🤗
I am honored to share that Latinos for Education featured an article I wrote about the teacher-student diversity gap on their blog Con Ganas We Can.
Please make sure to check it out — you can find it here, you can also go to their LinkedIn or their Twitter or their website for more information.
#ConGanasWeCan #Latinos4Ed
I do not have all the answers. Despite all the research, the on-the-ground work, the constant reading, I’m still learning. I’m discovering new tools, new methods, new concepts, new ideas. That is both the curse and the beauty of education–it is in a constant state of change and evolution; the work and learning is never done.
Now, sometimes I have enough time and energy to read 10 books on a topic. I have enough time to discuss and debate with colleagues for hours, days. Other times, I want to learn but only have enough time and energy for a single thought, a single bit of reflection, or a single dose of inspiration.
When time is limited, I go to social media, blogs, and websites.
My favorite forums, ones that I highly recommend are:
Each of these speakers, experts, and platforms are incredible inspiration for me. If you click on any of them, or all of them, you will notice that they are equity-driven, equity-focused, resources.
Equity and access, mirrors and windows, providing the most welcoming inclusive education for students is the core of my work. So, I seek out material and places where I can work through short exercises, read about new concepts, or learn a new bit of information–and I seek it out daily.
If I have enough time to read a book, that’s good. If I only have enough time for an Instagram post, that’s still good, still worth recognition. Why? Because if it is the core of my work, if it drives me, if I am committed to it, then every moment–big and small–is an opportunity to increase my capacity. And with that in mind, if you only have a few moments, or if you need a daily dose of inspiration and reflection, I recommend checking out Dr. Courtney Rose, Love.Tanesha, Teach and Transform, Teaching Tolerance, The Conscious Kid, and the Zinn Education Project . . . and if you find other equally amazing platforms, definitely let me know!
As educators we have been tasked with the monumental job of providing history, paradigms, and inspiration for a better world to our students.
In this honorable role, we must be hyper-vigilant of the stories we have consumed, we must be aware of the misunderstandings we have absorbed, and we must acknowledge that gaps are present–in our thinking, in our understanding, and in our own education. We are products of a system still redefining and finding itself.
In the past year, I have read more nonfiction than fiction–a real reversal in my reading consumption. While I started my anti-racist journey at birth, in a way, its momentum really took hold in my final years of high school, and has been an ongoing part of my life–personal and professional–since those teenage years. Nevertheless, it has only been in the past few years that I’ve had the robust conversations, the language development, and the depth of understanding to put all of what I have seen, heard, read, and experienced together. And this comes as the whole world has recognized that everyone has work to do. That racism is something to be dissected and discussed, not swept under the rug.
For those new to the language and discussions, there is no place better to start than books. While I’m sure there have been plenty of lists and recommendations, I will include 8 here:
If I had to start all over, or if I had to recommend a start, I would start with these books.
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For more details on each of these titles, please visit my book recommendation page on Instagram: Canon Reclaimed.
C is for Camacho 