TRANSFORM BIPOC Youth Circles at Dimmitt Middle School As an organization that strives to uplift racial equity in all that we do, we were thrilled this year to be able to bring a program called TRANSFORM (Trauma and Racism Addressed by Navigating Systemic Forms of Oppression using Resistance Methods) to our community. TRANSFORM is a…
An Interview with Matthew Reynolds
Matthew Reynolds ((they/he/we), does transformative work in the education equity space. They are a practitioner of equity and healing, an author, facilitator, educator, and brilliant human being. We met Matthew through our work with schools and districts in Southern Oregon. We are grateful they took the time to share their wisdom and journey with us…
Celebrating Black History Month with Facilitator Roshaé Lowe
Roshaé Lowe, Facilitator Why are you an educator/do you work in education? As a child, growing up, education was always presented to me as a pathway – a means to an end, a road that leads to all roads. As an adult, I still see education as a pathway — one that allows people…
Celebrating Black History Month with Brook Afework
Brook Afework, Program Operations Coordinator Why do you work in education? I came to this country not knowing how far behind I was in my education in comparison to my peers. The educators at Seattle and Issaquah school districts took time out of their busy schedules and helped me catch up. That extra attention…
Ideas for Teaching Self-Advocacy and Contribution in the Classroom
We believe fighting anti-blackness and speaking out against oppression of all forms deeply matters to the health of our communities and classrooms. As educators, we can create opportunities for young people to reflect on injustices, advocate for themselves, and contribute to their community for a more just world. Meaningful contributions not only help our community,…
Celebrating Black History Month with Teague Parker
Teague Parker, Facilitator Why are you an educator/do you work in education? Being a theatre artist brought me to the world of education! I would lead improv workshops every week through college, TA acting & playwriting classes, and soak up all the ways you could pass information. It felt to me that arts…
Celebrating Black History Month with Sylvia Hadnot
Sylvia Hadnot, Facilitator and Social Media Coordinator Why are you an educator/do you work in education? I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was 5 years old. Looking back, I realize that my teachers were some of my first nurturers. I loved their love and the way it made me feel! As…
Showing Up for Trans Kids Creates Equitable and Inclusive Communities for All Kids – Ideas and Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Whether you have a trans child in your own family or want to support trans kids in your community, we must first educate ourselves and work through our own biases. If you’re parenting or in community with a trans child, your support could be a protective buffer for their mental health and development. If you’ve…
Support for Trans and Non-binary Students Creates Equitable and Inclusive Learning Communities for All – Four Things Educators Can Do
All young people deserve and require acceptance and support from their communities to learn and thrive. Prioritizing building inclusive classrooms for all students, regardless of their identity, can quite literally save lives. According to Child Trends, a recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health demonstrates the power of affirming transgender youth’s identities: For…
