How can I use this lesson to convey to my students that I care about them as human beings?

How are you feeling and managing in these challenging times? COVID-19 is providing a comprehensive lesson in Equity and Social Justice or the lack thereof.

In these incredibly busy times, it is important to find a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and reflect. To aid in this reflection, I am posting a copy of a card from Checking and Changing my Systems for Equity along with my thoughts. I will continue to post these cards as long as I am able. Today’s card is pictured below:

I am reminded, from conversations with teachers over the past few weeks, of how challenging it is for us to care about ourselves and those in our care simply because we /they are human beings.

As human beings ,regardless of role or rank, we deserve respect , rights, resources, recognition, representation and REST.

When I ask teachers in workshops to choose a card from Checking and Changing my Systems for Equity that speaks most directly to their work, this is the card they most often choose. This question — How can I use this lesson to convey to my students that I care about them as human beings? — was first suggested to me by a teacher in Alaska when I was doing a workshop in the Juneau School District.

I invite you to replace the word "lesson" with something that may be more appropriate for your context if you are not offering lessons right now. You might try the words: interaction, online visit, policy, or meeting. And you can remove "my students" and replace it with a description of the other groups of human beings you are relating to these days.

See what happens when we place our shared humanity at the forefront of our actions in these challenging times.

I also invite you to share your reflection below on this question or any other matter on your mind.

In the meantime, stay connected and take care.