Merriam-Webster’s “definition” of equity is “fairness or justice in the way people are treated.” 

Equity is deep and complex. It is about everybody being able to get what they need to survive or succeed and having access to not only opportunity but networks, resources, and support systems that are based on both where we are and where we want to go. 

How does this translate to the classroom. 

Here are some tips to follow when creating an equitable learning environment.

1. One factor to always keep in mind, is that every child is different and has their own unique needs. Carefully take notice of  any challenges that a student faces, and determine if you need to offer support or resources.
2. Create an environment within your class where each student feels heard and recognized. Provide opportunities for the students to speak about unfairness and let them know you will listen if they want to share any hardships at home or in class
3. Parent engagement can be extremely helpful. Parents can support when addressing issues around equity. A good approach to take is keeping an open line of communication with parents and guardians.  Consider encouraging them to volunteer and inviting them to school events. This will get them involved in their child’s education.
4. Equity training in schools will help to build the faculty and staff's knowledge base.  They will learn effective skills that can be used to resolve challenges.
5. Consider having activities as well as lessons that focus on diversity.  This can create a sense of belonging for all students.

The goal is to do our best to create learning environments that  ensure equity for individual students and populations of students.

"To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom." 

Socrates

Understanding Who You Are…

Your identity is directly linked to the feelings of belonging you have to a particular group. Have you ever looked around at work or at school and noticed different nationalities?  Did you listen to their voices or notice different accents?  Each person has a cultural identity. Consider engaging in self identity activities.  These can take place with co-workers or a group of friends.

Activities:

Self Reflection Exercise

Ask yourself…

• Who am I?
• How do I describe my identity?
• Why are labels salient to me?

The benefit of this activity is to better understand how your ethnicity impacts your day to day life.

 Knowing Who You Are Within Your State

Questions to ask…

• What percentage of the population is your ethnicity?
• Which cities is your ethnicity located in?
• How many students within your ethnicity are in K-12 schools?
• What is the poverty rate of your ethnicity?
• What is the percentage of the median age of your ethnicity?
• What is the percentage of births within your ethnicity?

When you act on self-knowledge, you give yourself energy and you save energy. You will feel a sense of  freedom and belonging.  You will not be conforming to how people think you “should” feel or act based on stereotypes but who you really are.

What does Black Lives Matter mean? That was the question posed by my six-year-old daughter. I found myself searching within for a politically correct response.
I told my daughter it’s a statement that many of us use to let the world know there needs to be an end to senseless deaths, violence and racism that we face as blacks in America.
Over the past few weeks, my four children, husband and I have watched, read and some of us participated in events that drew attention to “Black Lives Matter.” I have observed for weeks, Americans gathering and marching to protest against the violence black people face. Protests have taken place in practically every American state. There are also protests in Europe, Asia and New Zealand. Brands are publishing social media posts supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement.
We, at Culturally Kreative join them and want to offer our support. Wortham, a writer for the New York Times, reminded me of a statement from Alicia Garza. “Seven years ago, we were treated like we were too radical, too out of the bounds of what is possible.”
Alicia Garza, the civil rights organizer based in Oakland, Calif., who coined the phrase in a 2013 Facebook post after George Zimmerman was acquitted of killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. “And now, countless lives later, it’s finally seen as relevant.”
We must never forget the countless number of blacks lives lost to law enforcement and vigilantes and stand steadfast on our beliefs to create a better tomorrow.
A few things to view and read:
Ibram X. Kendi's conversation with Brene Brown on being an anti-racist

Vernice Jones and Henna Inam’s courageous conversation about race

A powerful video from Emmanuel Acho