Diverse Literature: Mirrors & Windows

As I stated in the beginning, I am focused on diverse literature. As noted, it’s an uphill battle. Finding quality is difficult. Finding quality diverse literature is a monumental task.

In my day-to-day conversations, in my daily social media feeds and conversations, in my personal interactions, I have been confronted with confusion, defensiveness, and dismissal.

People are confused. They tell me that children’s books are good–fine as they are, good enough, and mostly feature animals anyway. People are defensive. They have attachments to their own upbringing, their own learning, or just their routine. Re-evaluating their classroom experiences or their teaching practices requires acknowledging a deficit, challenging the status quo, and expanding their worldview. These are emotional endeavors. All of this leads to dismissal. The passion behind the task, the commitment to diversity is relegated to my individual soapbox rather than a collective project for every teacher.

It is easy to be discouraged. It is easy to feel alone. In my research, however, I found my words–my words of rebuttal and my words of personal encouragement: mirrors & windows.

Children are provided a lens in their learning, this lens can either be a mirror or a window. The mirrors are just as important as the windows. Mirrors allow them to be seen and heard, to realize their potential and reaffirm their value. Windows allow them to see others, to realize the potential and reaffirm the value of every person they encounter–whether that is now or in the future, in the classroom or somewhere else.

So, if you need a little encouragement or a reminder on why diverse literature is critical or important; remember, every child needs mirrors and windows, everyone benefits from being seen and seeing others.

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The language of mirrors and windows comes from my original post, the image had a caption that led to researching the concept and finding several articles on it, including one on We are Teachers.

books, diversity, featured, literacy, literature

Writing & Editing Services

Writing & Editing Service #1: consistency

I love detail. I enjoy the meticulous task. I relish looking for the small minute differences, changes, inconsistencies, in a rough draft; I was a big fan of Goofus and Gallant growing up–Highlights anyone?

With this natural tendency for noticing the small(er) things, I find myself to be a great set of eyes for written work and writing development, specifically as it pertains to consistency.

Did the writer always want an Oxford comma? Did the presenter want periods used, or never used, for their bullets? Did the directions specify a 2 pt or a 4 pt border on every visual? Did the guidelines say every heading was supposed to be centered? I want to know —

Now, these may seem like frivolous details, inconsequential aspects of one’s writing or a person’s presentation in terms of the grand scheme of things. Perhaps. It could be argued as less important than the content itself. However, I argue that good writing and a strong presentation are amplified when everything, even the smallest of details, is sharp–or sharpened.

As a result, whether I am with a student or a client, discussions on consistent style, formatting, language, and construction are required. Clear expectations and a cohesive style are paramount because I want everyone to have a final product they are proud to show off . . .

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Things I never knew . . .

Installment #20

Five things I never knew . . . until I became a teacher:

spelling is inconsequential to understanding someone’s written work
grammar and syntax is inconsequential to understanding someone’s written work
print and handwriting vary–tremendously
writing is an art . . . an abstract modern art to be exact
my ability to decipher writing has no limits

2023 Resolution Check

In January I posted a set of teacher resolutions for the year.

For many teachers, the academic year is either half over, or nearing it’s end. For the rest of us, the calendar year is approaching its halfway point. So, given the time of year — whether academic or calendar — I thought it important to revisit my teacher-resolutions.

On my list were:

Make a schedule, and stick to it, for writing here on C is for Camacho
- Still working on this one . . .
Renew all education licenses
- One state’s worth of licenses were renewed at the end of 2022, the other state’s license I decided not to renew . . .
Attend an educational conference
- Thanks to my current role, it looks like I will have to attend a conference in Salvador, Brazil–so: in progress!
Take one class or training on a subject, methodology, or technology tool that has interested me in the past year
- I have not done this yet, but I also feel like moving to a whole new country has occupied all my time for learning new things. So: sort of done?
Continue to expand my educational profile/resume
- I took a job in another country. I am absolutely expanding my educational range and resume.

As you can see, I am making some progress. I am meeting some originally intended goals.

At the same time, I have made some revisions. No one is beholden to their original plan because plans cannot be complete in their original form. Things change. I have adapted accordingly.

I think it’s important to circle-back, to hold oneself accountable. I enjoy reflecting on what I thought this year would be like, versus what it actually looks like–but what about you? How’s your year going? Any resolutions–teacher or otherwise–you’d like to share about? What did you meet, adjust, or remove altogether?

May 9, 2023: Quote of the Day

“Teachers must match the diversity of their classrooms with their own diversity of methods and materials.”

–Brookes Publishing, From Planning the Transition to Employment,

by Wendy S. Parent-Johnson, Ph.D., Laura Owens, Ph.D., & Richard Parent-Johnson, Ph.D.

Teaching & Living Abroad: Brazil 🇧🇷

Roughly two years ago, I shared that I was starting a new chapter, and a long-held teaching and personal dream: living and working abroad.

I moved to Turkey for one job, and it didn’t work out as expected. I got another role in Turkey, and that role ultimately floundered as well. It was quite the turn-of-events.

Leading up to my move to Turkey, I felt that I was about to embark on something life-changing. I was going to move and live abroad for years, maybe forever. I really felt it in my soul. Six months later I was back home.

It was an adventure to say the least. Was it difficult? Yes. Would I do it again? I don’t know.

I enjoyed being a tourist and the opportunity to travel while between jobs, but uprooting myself, disrupting my routine and my career, just to be back to square one (just six months later)–I don’t know if I could do that again . . .

Fast forward two years, I was applying to live and work abroad again. But this time I was applying with experience, with knowledge of what went wrong previously, and a list of non-negotiables.

It came down to two opportunities: one in South Korea 🇰🇷, one in Brazil 🇧🇷.

In June of 2022 I signed to begin a life in Brazil 🇧🇷 –start date: February 2023. In the ensuing six months I was cautious. I tried not to put so much weight or pressure on myself, or this opportunity. I knew from experience that anything could change, anything could fall through.

Well, 2023 is here, and I have been in Brazil 🇧🇷 for 3 months. It hasn’t been easy; it’s actually been the most difficult cultural and language adjustment to date for me. But I’m doing it.

I once shared that it is a risk and a privilege to do something like this, to move abroad, to live abroad, to work abroad. Moving away from everything familiar takes gumption. Tremendous courage. Doing it again, when the first time didn’t work out, takes even more gumption, even more courage.

I don’t know if I made the right decision–Brazil 🇧🇷 over South Korea 🇰🇷. I don’t know if this is the best career move. I do know that trying again was brave, that pursuing a dream is brave, and that just as I want my students to be brave, so too must I be brave . . .