“Home was the place where I was forced to conform to someone else’s image of who and what I should be. The school was the place where I could forget that self and, through ideas, reinvent myself.” – Bell Hooks.
In my future classroom, I am committed to creating a space where community, connection and critical thinking are fostered. Each student comes into the classroom with different perspectives, values and beliefs. This is not a space where students are forced to conform to a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Students are encouraged to be expressive, embracing who they are while connecting with different ideas and thoughts. Throughout my education, I have learned what my teachers/professors wanted or expected to hear and tailored each assignment to their needs, dismissing my thoughts and beliefs. It was as though I had a different version of myself for home, each specific class, and extracurricular activity. I morphed to fit the expectations placed upon me. I do not want to force children to feel this way. I want them to be able to disagree with each other and me respectfully. This prepares them for their future when they encounter those with different beliefs. Rather than becoming defensive, they will have the skills to connect in collaborative discussions, standing firm on what they believe while challenging it and critically reflecting on their why. Over the years, I have challenged myself to find my purpose; my why. At the heart of it lies a deep desire to be the educator I once needed: someone who invites authenticity rather than performance, and who values the process over perfection. I believe that education should not require students to shrink themselves to fit into pre-made molds, but instead should expand to hold their complexity, voice, and lived experience.