Today's blog post is a hard one to compose.
I don't think I'm ready to yet put into words the recent family health challenges and setbacks. I'm still sorting those out in my head while shepherding individuals through several medical appointments. Big thanks go to my siblings for doing what they can, to deal with difficult circumstances.
Because of these current issues, related to my parents, I was unable to attend the entire workshop that I had signed up for on Saturday, April 24, 2021. This was unfortunate, since I really enjoyed the speaker.
- be clear on a certain number (say 4) priorities - then, you won't be stretched thin
- people judge us because they see our performances - don't be part of the "performance" of equity; alloy yourself to be authentic
- question yourself: why are you doing this? - do things intentionally
- people are leaving unchallenged / unchanged / unbothered
- show evidence of our work - if you are a champion, show me your belt, your winnings
- ask yourself: what have you done? - what can you do based on your skills (story of a medical doctor, who now sits on a board supporting trans youth in health care)
- build your capacity, e.g. before you can help and support Indigenous causes, become informed, don't just point teachers to the "bin" of representative literature > make it so much that it's a trolley!
- know the difference between equity and equality (analogy of giving apples > not everyone needs or wants or can have an apple [allergic, live on an apple farm] so don't strive for equality, go for equity) > translate this in library terms to not everyone needs/gets same access to library, consider library recess access pass, because some need more
- we need a team of champions
- you may not know what the measurement is of your equity work, so do what you do
- record what the work looks like, because the system we work in demands records
- try to be tuned in; this takes practice (by talking to others, attending workshops, asking for help)
- sometimes we don't notice when things are equitable (e.g. Dr ABC checking reading samples and noticing the difference between descriptions of lakes vs rivers, or Heather's decision to move Indigenous creation stories out of the 300 "fairy tale" section)
How will we continue to use stories and books to champion the needs of our students? How might we keep the idea of EQUITY and the regard for individual differences at the forefront of our work? @oslacouncil @ONLibraryAssoc @DRABC14 #ONSchoolLibraries #onted https://t.co/7i1dDTth0S pic.twitter.com/S3nd45Fav3
— MrsLyonsLibrary (@mrslyonslibrary) April 24, 2021
Thank you @oslacouncil for this morning’s session with @DRABC14. What a wonderful opportunity to learn and extend our thinking. So many ideas swirling after our discussions. This sketch is missing so much but a few pieces that I wanted to remember.
— Tina Zita (@tina_zita) April 24, 2021
Cc @PDSB_Libraries pic.twitter.com/9cdBLuLkIH
Thrilled to be inspired by the energy, passion and expertise of @DRABC14 in the @oslacouncil learning session #DisruptingDeficitThinkingInSchools @ONLibraryAssoc pic.twitter.com/zkKTEdhKxW
— Kate JohnsonMcGregor (@TL_Kate) April 24, 2021
Once again spending time learning with @DRABC14 is a joy! To also be alongside school library professionals and supporters from across Ontario is just an incredible gift! @oslacouncil @ONLibraryAssoc pic.twitter.com/gk08SW8imZ
— Jennifer Brown (@JennMacBrown) April 24, 2021
I was going to call this blog post "Be A Champion", but I didn't want it to be confused with that series of teaching books ("Teach Like a Pirate" / "Teach Like a Champion"). Right now, I need to be a champion for my students, for groups traditionally and historically ignored in our systems of education, as well as for my parents. They aren't voiceless but for different reasons, their voices aren't heard or understood. This is not meant to be a "white saviour narrative" - this is why instead I chose to call this "Authentic Effort". I am not at the center of this. Why am I taking these actions? What am I doing? I have to make sure that I am not doing things for the right reasons to benefit others, and that I am making an effort (an authentic, not performative) to help, using the skills and talents that I have to the best of my abilities.Read this. Read it again. Share it. Post it. Reflect on it. @DRABC14 @oslacouncil @ONLibraryAssoc #ONSchoolLibraries #onted https://t.co/31MYKytZfd pic.twitter.com/MpLZ9vnEiV
— MrsLyonsLibrary (@mrslyonslibrary) April 24, 2021
Want to send you virtual hugs. Equity work is HARD and draining, but the results of making students and staff feel welcome, like they belong, and can be their authentic self are priceless. Doing equity work has helped me self advocate and advocate for others as well as increased my self confidence and purpose for teaching.
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