As a future educator, I must begin to challenge how my past experiences, privileges, and narratives have influenced my core beliefs and created the person I am today. This is my declaration of the type of educator I will strive to become.

I will strive to confront the messages and biases that myself, as a white settler, cis, heterosexual, rural-raised, middle class, woman, will bring into a classroom.

I will strive to create an environment where there is a space for everyone. An environment that fosters student evolution, encourages collaboration, and is built upon the foundation of community. 

I will strive to model what I hope to cultivate within students. Committing to lifelong learning through a pedagogy of mistakes^[1]. Understanding what I permit I promote^[2]. Emphasizing that “growth involves action, and we must lean in and seek it.”^[3]

I will strive to be a teacher who values and seeks out the uncomfortable^[4]. Respecting the responsibility of having uncomfortable conversations, confronting uncomfortable hypocritical beliefs, and coming to uncomfortable realizations.

I will strive to facilitate learning which will occur when students can be their authentic selves, develop their own beliefs, and better understand the true world around them.

I will strive to centre diverse lenses in all that I do. Taking into account diverse cultural, racial, socioeconomic, and gendered lenses. Prioritizing perspectives of non-dominant groups^[5].  Recognizing what voices are being muffled and creating space, providing an ear, and offering a microphone.

I will strive to elucidate the oneness of the world. Students, teachers, environments, communities; these vast differences brought together to create a holistic one.

I declare to revisit this manifesto, regularly and with a critical eye. Using it as a reminder of my commitments, and as a tool to measure personal and professional growth. 

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