SHAPING OUR LIVES’ Post

Imagine my surprise when I saw this! I received a notification that the University of Miami bought access to my LinkedIn for Learning course for their students and staff and is already promoting it! It’s almost been a week since its release, and you can join the close to 700 folks who’ve already started the course and our investing in elevating their emotional intelligence. What you’ll learn: - How to explore your own emotions and biases - How to navigate cross-cultural interactions with empathy and understanding - How to develop an awareness of cultural nuances, biases, and the impact of cultural differences on emotional expression, and more. Check the link below to start your journey to connecting the dots between EI and DEI. #emotionalintelligence #diversity #equity #inclusion

A little more than a month ago, I graduated from Harvard. I know you've probably seen a lot of graduation posts, though, so I want to talk about something else: accessibility. In my Harvard Oration address at Class Day (linked below), I talked about choices. While I went into college expecting to major in linguistics and classics, as I ended up doing, there was so much else that I didn't expect: fresh interests, surprising opportunities, new friends. There are often circumstances outside our control, but even still, we all have the power to choose our own actions. College was difficult for me because of such circumstances, and I made mistakes. I wasn't able to do everything I hoped to do, but in going (what seemed like) the wrong way, I was able to access valuable experiences. Choice isn't always dramatic. We make choices every second of every day: what words to say, how to spend time, whether to do something. All of those choices should be within our agency to decide — but when there are external circumstances, sometimes we can't access those choices. I have a lot of experience with access and accessibility. Because of my disability, there are a lot of choices society doesn't allow me to make. For example, I can't go to a restaurant if there are stairs at the entrance. I can't make out the words in a physical book. Someone disabled, if they want to marry, might have a hard time doing so because of the "marriage penalty" that reduces SSI benefits (no marriage equality). Lack of accessibility is more than an inconvenience: it is a lack of the ability for disabled people to choose their lives moment by moment. I don't quite know how my career will turn out yet. I'd love to continue being a game developer, but I'd also like to be a high school English or Latin teacher and a journalist. Those paths are probably interconnected, so I'm not very worried about going the wrong way. But whatever I choose, I'm looking forward to centering accessibility and disability advocacy in my career — making games with accessibility features, or keeping disability in mind through education or journalism. And you can't think about disability without thinking of people of all identities and of basic human rights. I don't know how much I can do, but I'm excited to get started. https://lnkd.in/ex6VyWaY

🌟🤎 Exciting Journey Ahead 🤎🌟 As an autistic Black girl, I didn't have educational spaces that sought to nurture my genius. Today, I want to share a bit about my personal journey and the founding of Sensational Inclusion. Growing up, I often felt invisible in the educational system – not seeing myself reflected in the curriculum or having educators who looked like me. This experience ignited a passion within me for equitable learning. At Sensational Inclusion, our mission is to create inclusive, sensory-friendly, and equitable educational environments. We offer a range of services to achieve this goal: 📚 Education Consulting: Tailored advice to institutions for fostering inclusive practices. 📘 Curriculum Development and Auditing: Crafting and reviewing curricula to ensure inclusivity and representation. 📖 Pre-K-3rd Literacy Tutoring: Focused support to nurture early literacy skills in young learners. 🎓 Educator Professional Learning: Providing training and resources for educators to thrive in diverse classrooms. 🌍 We are committed to building educational ecosystems where all children have an inclusive, sensory-friendly and safe space for their genius to grow. This dedication drives our every action and decision. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this path. 🤗 Together, let's continue to transform education into a space where every child's genius can grow without limitations 🌱 #InclusiveEducation #EquityInLearning #EducationForAll #SensationalInclusion #FoundersJourney 🤎

Tired of sitting through DEI trainings that don't stick? Here's a solution. Through my work with Dance Exchange, we are developing embodied racial equity experiential trainings. This innovative approach caters to those who learn best by physicalizing concepts through movement and community interactions. Interested in learning more? Reach out to today! #notYourAverageDEItraining #RacialEquity #EmbodiedLearning #DEItraining

We’re spotlighting how education can become a beacon of unity during #BlackHistoryMonth. Being inclusive in the classroom is an opportunity to facilitate better outcomes for more students. Learn more about implementing inclusion strategies in the classroom: http://spr.ly/6045pC1mW #HigherEd #HigherEducation #Inclusion

🌟Here is why inclusion matters🌟 1️⃣ Diversity stimulates learning: In inclusive classrooms, students encounter a variety of experiences, cultures, and ideas, fostering creativity and critical thinking. 2️⃣ Empower all students: Inclusive practices ensure equitable access to quality education, removing barriers to success for students of all abilities. 3️⃣ Build empathy and understanding: Inclusion encourages empathy, helping students appreciate differences and find common ground. 4️⃣ Prepare for life beyond the classroom: Inclusive schools mirror the real world, equipping students with essential life skills for success. #InclusionMatters #EducationForAll #EmpoweringStudents 

Cultural and ethnic diversity in the classroom is not just a reality of today’s educational landscape—it’s a powerful asset. Diverse classrooms bring together students with unique perspectives, life experiences, and problem-solving approaches. When we create an environment that embraces and values these differences, we enrich learning for everyone. Students from various backgrounds challenge each other to think critically, develop empathy, and broaden their worldview. This not only prepares them for academic success but also equips them with essential skills for navigating a global society. It’s vital for educators to foster inclusivity, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Let's continue to celebrate and champion diversity in our classrooms! By doing so, we create stronger, more equitable learning communities where every student can thrive. #Diversity #Inclusion #EquityInEducation #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #EducationMatters

How do we cultivate a brave space through equity of voice and shared power where each participant is valued for their unique perspective and lived experience? Establishing a culture of loving accountability is key.  Are you interested in learning more about student-focused community building circles or other culturally responsive teaching practices? If so, join us for NYU Metro Center’s 2024 Equity Conference. The Equity Now: 70 Years after Brown v. Board of Education commemorates the promise of the Supreme Court ruling, and offers educators, parents/caregivers, youth, community organizers, and technical assistance providers a full day of learning to engage sustainable district and school-based equity practices. Learn more about and register for NYU Metro Center’s 2024 Equity Conference, here: bit.ly/3ub7BDH #NYUMetroCenter #NYUSteinhardt #EquityConference #BrownvBoard #Equity #educators #parents #caregivers #youth #communityorganizers #TechnicalAssistance #voice #power #CulturallyResponsive #Practices #StudentFocused #Studentfocused #schoolpractices #CRSE #socialjustice #racialjustice #professionallearning #learningcommunity #professionaldevelopment #conference #teachers #students #School #SchoolDistrict #Equality #segregation #schoolsegregation #integregation #disproportionality #race #Black #Latinx #BIPOC #Indigenous

A young student asked me if I could really be a teacher… and I think it’s because I’m Black. 🌸 This moment was a poignant reminder that discrimination and biases can begin at a disturbingly young age. But it's also a cal to action! 🌸 Let’s change the narrative— teach our kids to respect and celebrate people of all colors, backgrounds, and cultures✨ 🌸 Here are 3 ways to start: 1️⃣ Educate your children about diversity, equity, and inclusion. 2️⃣ Expose them to different cultures through books, media, and experiences. 3️⃣ Lead by example: show kindness, empathy, and respect to everyone. 🌸 Now it's your turn! How are you teaching the next generation about inclusivity? Share your ideas, strategies, and stories. #inclusionmatters #diversityeducation #breakdownbarriers #teachlove #respectforall #equityinaction #inspirechange

The report lists eight “DEI Myths,” including that DEI is divisive, that all DEI initiatives place people in one of two categories, privileged and oppressed, that DEI and critical race theory are the same, and that “too-woke” professionals have taken over campuses. It counters the myths with data, anecdotes and observations from 12 faculty members and administrators who say that DEI initiatives aim to bring students and employees together to learn from each other’s differences, that they account for “tiny fractions” of overall institutional budgets and that DEI professionals rarely have any jurisdiction over classroom curriculums. #evidence-based #experts #diversity #equity #inclusion #truths