Curriculum is the expression of our societal values: what we as a majority power hold to be a set of values that are needed in the real world environment and must be taught to our children in order for them to fit within this society. Curriculum is heavily tied to political beliefs and carries with it a hidden agenda written within it and this is heavily felt by those students who are put through our schooling system. When we as a whole fail to provide a consistent and supportive environment this can be seen in the eyes of our children among those students; when politically motivated agendas limit the freedom to express oneself then we are holding these motivations as having a higher value. While this political influence is itself a reflection of our own ideals, the addition of labels and operating under preconceived notions based of these beliefs, we must limit the extent of these influences for the sake of future generations of students. The process of coming to understand both the direct and indirect impact of both the curriculum and the ability to identify internal(personal) biases is the first step towards displacing your own values from the classroom. When you take this important step back you can get a more complete picture of the interconnected paths of influence that a school and the many combinations of classes within present to students on a daily basis. Understand that every single person within these boundaries is an independent influence that provides growth and learning opportunities, the value of which is only truly known by the individual impacted and may not be clear to others for some time. This stage of development leaves students open to learn but also vulnerable to the influences of prejudicial beliefs and by separating those two aspects is a step towards a more inclusive and understanding classroom.

-Francios d’Auteuil

(PS. Happy birthday and thank you to my Dad for giving me and my siblings the gift of waking up, it’s only after you miss the little things in life that you give full value to them.)