Unlearning to Learn
Our Commitment
As elementary school educators, we see first hand the importance of creating safe, inclusive and affirming spaces for children to develop self-belief systems rooted in confidence for who they are, not who society tells them they should be.
We take our role as educators and leaders in our school communities seriously, and commit to our ongoing learning and unlearning through professional development opportunities on a regular basis. However, this learning extends beyond our professional development. We are also committed to developing our personal learning around anti-racist practices because as white, cis-gendered women, we recognize the privilege we have to make a difference in equity and inclusivity for all in our local communities.
We want people of all skin colour, gender or sexual orientation, abilities, and faith to find value in the resources and collections we share.
This means we are:
- intentionally supporting authors and writers in the Black, Indigenous, Asian and People of Colour and 2SLGBTQ+ communities through our purchases from publishers and wholesalers. Our book collections are meant to be mirrors and windows for diverse readers, so it is important to us to find Own Voiced stories.
-Connecting with local makers of diverse backgrounds to support entrepreneurial efforts in connection with our core beliefs of promoting empathy, curiosity, diversity and inclusivity.
- Continue to diversify our social media images so all families can see themselves in our collections.
- Supporting anti-racist educators by participating in their workshops, seminars and ensuring we are paying for these resources.
- Committing to using appropriate language that is inclusive and affirming (eg; using the term family versus parent, as family encompasses the wide range of ways family dynamics occur).
- Challenging our educational environments by offering educators whom are part of our Teacher Collective opportunities to diversify their bookshelves by making current and contemporary resources financially accessible to them. As well as continue to participate in systemic conversations with our local school board, union and provincial government.
- Using our educational training in our Discriminatory and Harmful Language Protocol in both our professional and personal environments (eg. Stop & Identify, Explain, Support, and provide accountability when harmful or discriminatory language is used)
- Continuing to unpack, explore and challenge our own personal belief systems and blind spots by staying open to constructive feedback, open conversation, and conflict resolution. Most Importantly, by listening to and amplifying marginalized voices.
Some resources we have found helpful:
- Educators: Consider talking the 3 part AQ Inclusive Education through ETFO
- Small Business Owners: Check out Jenny Jay (@justaskjenny) creating inclusive content live webinars
- Alberta University's Faculty of Native Studies offers a free Indigenous Canada online course (approx. 21 hours of learning)
- Connect with and support anti-racist influencers coaching programs or educational content through financial means, engage with their content so their voices are amplified on popular platforms, share how to find them and support them within your own communities.
With all this being said, we know we won't always get it right, but we are committed to learning and growing. We want to raise children who see and speak up when injustice occurs, and the best way we can do that is by modelling for them and learning alongside them.
Love,
Jenn & Andrea
We take our role as educators and leaders in our school communities seriously, and commit to our ongoing learning and unlearning through professional development opportunities on a regular basis. However, this learning extends beyond our professional development. We are also committed to developing our personal learning around anti-racist practices because as white, cis-gendered women, we recognize the privilege we have to make a difference in equity and inclusivity for all in our local communities.
We want people of all skin colour, gender or sexual orientation, abilities, and faith to find value in the resources and collections we share.
This means we are:
- intentionally supporting authors and writers in the Black, Indigenous, Asian and People of Colour and 2SLGBTQ+ communities through our purchases from publishers and wholesalers. Our book collections are meant to be mirrors and windows for diverse readers, so it is important to us to find Own Voiced stories.
-Connecting with local makers of diverse backgrounds to support entrepreneurial efforts in connection with our core beliefs of promoting empathy, curiosity, diversity and inclusivity.
- Continue to diversify our social media images so all families can see themselves in our collections.
- Supporting anti-racist educators by participating in their workshops, seminars and ensuring we are paying for these resources.
- Committing to using appropriate language that is inclusive and affirming (eg; using the term family versus parent, as family encompasses the wide range of ways family dynamics occur).
- Challenging our educational environments by offering educators whom are part of our Teacher Collective opportunities to diversify their bookshelves by making current and contemporary resources financially accessible to them. As well as continue to participate in systemic conversations with our local school board, union and provincial government.
- Using our educational training in our Discriminatory and Harmful Language Protocol in both our professional and personal environments (eg. Stop & Identify, Explain, Support, and provide accountability when harmful or discriminatory language is used)
- Continuing to unpack, explore and challenge our own personal belief systems and blind spots by staying open to constructive feedback, open conversation, and conflict resolution. Most Importantly, by listening to and amplifying marginalized voices.
Some resources we have found helpful:
- Educators: Consider talking the 3 part AQ Inclusive Education through ETFO
- Small Business Owners: Check out Jenny Jay (@justaskjenny) creating inclusive content live webinars
- Alberta University's Faculty of Native Studies offers a free Indigenous Canada online course (approx. 21 hours of learning)
- Connect with and support anti-racist influencers coaching programs or educational content through financial means, engage with their content so their voices are amplified on popular platforms, share how to find them and support them within your own communities.
With all this being said, we know we won't always get it right, but we are committed to learning and growing. We want to raise children who see and speak up when injustice occurs, and the best way we can do that is by modelling for them and learning alongside them.
Love,
Jenn & Andrea