Over the last year, we have witnessed a backlash in communities surrounding the topicof “critical race theory” and “equity” within our schools.
It appears there is widespread misinformation and myths surrounding what equity is and how it affects our students-to the extent that there are groups and organized efforts stop equity work by community members within local Lakes Area school districts.
Equity initiatives in schools are, in my opinion, an effort to ensure we remove barriers and challenges for students and open opportunities to create an equal playing field.
The goals and focuses are to examine practices, policies and procedures in order to ensure access to all learners. Additionally, there is a focus on examining how students are made to feel welcome and included in the district.
I was excited to learn that many teachers within the Pequot Lakes school district participated in equity training. I was happy to hear how they were striving to better understand their students, create welcoming classrooms and understand how they play a role in removing barriers to learning in the classroom, as a result of learning more about equity and how it impacts students.
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And, in an effort to support these teachers and the district in their equity work, I joined several community members in forming a pro-equity group called “Pequot Parents for Kindness” (PP4K). We have a Facebook group with the following mission: “This group is intended to provide a space for Pequot Lakes parents, residents and Lakes Area communities to come together in united efforts to support inclusion, equity & diversity in our schools and communities. We hope to also create a positive space to learn, grow & share resources in our efforts to uphold values & initiatives that benefit all of us.”
From our Facebook group, there is a committee that meets twice a month to discuss and plan more action-oriented goals surrounding our mission. We welcome any lakes area residents who want to learn more about the value of equity work for our schools and/or who want to support our teachers and school districts in these areas.
I believe strongly in the value of equity and inclusion. I am a professional educator and having been teaching at Central Lakes College for seven years. I strive to become better informed of the equity gaps and issues within my school system as well. I strive to learn and improve my teaching so all students have a learning environment that is safe, welcoming and inclusive. I co-chair our college’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and find the work challenging, inspiring and critical to student success.
A quote I live by comes from Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
If you would like join other community members in an effort to uplift the important work of ensuring our schools are focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in our K-12 system, look for our “Pequot Parents for Kindness” Facebook group or email our PP4K Committee at: pequotparents4kindness@gmail.com .
