While we may feel overwhelmed in the aftermath of the overturned landmark decision, we are neither hopeless nor helpless. A social justice education expert offers suggestions.
Sonia Galaviz is a 5th grade elementary teacher in Boise, Idaho. She has taught in both the primary and intermediate grades and teaches as an adjunct faculty for University of Phoenix and Boise State University. In 2009 she received the honor of Idaho Woman of the Year from the Idaho Business Review. In 2011 Sonia was one of five educators in the nation chosen to receive an award in Excellence in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy from Teaching Tolerance. Sonia serves on the state board for the Idaho Education Association.
Each year at this time, teachers are faced with a dilemma: How to balance the holidays to create the most inclusive environment? As Hanukkah comes to a close and Christmas approaches, many teachers will decorate with candy canes, glittered Christmas trees and construction-papered dreidels. But there are more holidays being celebrated this month.
Mary is a fourth-grade teacher in Salem, Oregon. Each day she leaves the classroom with pockets full of intercepted notes and gratitude for the opportunity to learn with a roomful of 9-year-olds.