My Key Take Aways: Voices of Justice

I attended WSRA's October 14 Voices for Justice Academy on October 14. I was so impressed with the line-up of speakers and variety of important conversations about race, equity, community, social justice, writing, and overall just empowering ourselves and our students.  Here are some of the ideas that I took from just TWO of the day’s presentations. 

Notions for all of us to consider from Keynote and Session presented by Bettina Love: 

• Schools/ Districts/ Organizations have developed “equity positions” but unfortunately, there has not been much equity coming out of these roles. 

• We are complicit in “spirit murdering”.

• We need to become co-conspirators and use our white privilege to promote change.

• We must disrupt the status quo. 

• It is important to have discussions about what social justice work means to us and to our communities.

• It is time that we critique the curriculum we teach. What is missing?

• Kids need to see “real people” in picture books early on and not just animals.

• We all have barriers we must get through. These barriers can include fear, language, and/or ourselves.

• Read more on this topic in Dr. Love's book, WE WANT TO DO MORE THAN SURVIVE: ABOLITIONIST TEACHING AND THE PURSUIT OF EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM.

Thoughts on the Power of a Writer's Notebook from the Virtual Field Trip with Ralph Fletcher

• Writers find interesting stories in ordinary lives.

• Be willing to fail. Write it in your notebook and develop the idea more fully later. 

• Ask yourself: what moves you?  What do you wonder about? What do you notice?

• Pay attention to small details. 

• A writer’s notebook is a safe, private place to write, to take chances and try things out.

• A writer's notebook is a place that can inspire and encourage me as a writer and a person.  

• Read more about Ralph Fletcher's recommendations in A WRITER'S NOTEBOOK: UNLOCKING THE WRITER WITHIN YOU.

The next Academy Day is on October 28, 2020.  These academies take place twice monthly and include both day and evening sessions, virtual field trips for students, and topics that are relevant and inspiring. In this time of uncertainty, frustration, and even exhaustion, I encourage everyone to join us in these learning opportunities. The learning can re-ignite the flame and passion that brought us into this wonderful field and give us power to continue on in solidarity!