We began with a keynote from Dr. Rodney Trice, our assistant superintendent of equity affairs. He focused on the 3 pillars of a culturally responsive curriculum that is creative, inclusive & truthful, and effort based. Creative lessons have multiple access points and the opportunity to show mastery in different ways. He challenged us with this quote from
Dr. Asa Hilliard:
Do we have the WILL to teach ALL children?
So what is equity? "Remove the predictability of success and failure that currently correlates with any social or cultural factor and interrupt inequitable practices, challenge biases, and create an inclusive environment for all." Who wouldn't sign up for that?
"Everyone is down for equity but people don't like naming where we're not serving kids."
The ultimate question then is are you reaching your students in the way that you would want to be taught or do you start with their schema to help them to change and grow?