The first thing that must be done to ensure we are creating a safe environment for all of our students is to be educated, we must learn and be aware of all of our students and not let something like a lack of knowledge and acceptance be an issue within curriculum and the classroom. For example the use of proper language/pronouns is a big a one, and incorporating 2SLGBTQIA+ resources and perspectives. When looking at addressing systemic oppression we must look at ourselves as teachers. In the classroom whether we like it or not we are role models for our students and the community. We are powerful figures in our students lives and we must set the president of respect and acceptance within the classroom. Discrimination is unacceptable behavior in the classroom and schools should be a place where students feel safe, Canada is a place that loves to acknowledge its diversity as a country when it comes to race and religion and the same should go for gender and identity. The first steps to address this issue are education, acceptance and respect. We must educate ourselves and our students, accept everyone, and respect all those who walk into the door.
I absolutely agree that our community must be educated in order to be aware and know how to include the 2SLGBTQ+ community. I would like to hear about your own personal schooling experiences about the 2SLGBTQ+ community, if any, and how you can reflect on those experiences. I also respect that you address that us teachers must look at ourselves in regard to systematic oppression as we are powerful figures in our classroom. Great blog post and always great contributions to class discussions. Thank you Ethan.
Hello Ethan, great post! I thought your statement about how we must first look at ourselves when addressing systemic oppression was very strong, and you argued it very well. It would have been nice to see some references to this week’s reading materials. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts on this subject; they were both insightful and well-written.