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.

****

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.

Winter Break

It’s been a year unlike any other . . . we have earned our rest.

Turn off that computer, forget Zoom, and stay safe.

🍏 C is for Camacho will return end of January 2021 🍏

December 8, 2020: Quote of the Day

“When you are laboring for others, let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.”

–Confucius

WOW!

I have been expanding and extending my skillset, network, and experiences for over a decade in education. While each of placement and title has developed my character and practice, and each has given me their own unique pride and reward, I have to share this from English Language Fellowship program.

I am so proud and I am learning so much–and that’s the beauty of teaching and being a teacher, there is always room, space, and a place for us to continue learning. Find me, my new set of coworkers, my fellow educators, and more about my placement on Facebook @RELONorthAfrica.

Happy Election Month!

Like most Americans, I lost a number of hours of sleep over the past couple of weeks. I had the added layer and privilege of scouring my own campaign result updates, almost daily. While I anticipated some level of change, suspense, and news, I thought I would be available and able to continue all my work–with the same level of attention and detail I conducted myself pre-election. I was wrong.

As we continue on this saga, acquiring more final counts, more precise data, and a transition team, I am coming back here. I apologize for the delay — it’s been quite the month, and year!

Happy Election Day!

To all my fellow voters in the United States, I wish you a Happy Election Day . . . possibly Election week or Election month! This year we’ve had record turn-out already, and I expect even greater turn-out today; so, stay safe — and make sure to take notes today for lessons and stories in the future, for our own kids and for our students 🤗