Unlock Your Teaching Potential What is the purpose of inclusive education? And, how to support marginalized populations in the classroom. A conversation with Eric Williamson.
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Why does representation and diversity in the classroom matter?
How does it make an impact on how our students view themselves?
Our students need trusted adults who are available to answer questions about identity and therefore can make a difference in their lives in the long term.
Encouraging conversations about all sorts of intersections of identity in a safe and honest space promotes belonging. As educators, we have the ability to create the type of spaces that support young people to flourish and thrive.
Welcome to episode 3 of Take Notes with Jen Rafferty! In this episode, I’m speaking with Eric Williamson! He is a former conductor with the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and music teacher at PS 32 in Brooklyn.
Eric has also joined the national facilitation team of the Human Rights Campaign - Welcoming Schools Program, the nation's largest bullying prevention, and LGBTQ+ inclusive education initiative
We explore the effects of insufficient education available to teachers on handling this topic, and how self-reflection and personal development can be a catalyst for change.
Also, how a simple mindset shift can help us lean into conflict, and uncomfortable situations so these vital conversations can be had to better serve our students.
Today is all about inclusion and cultivating communities for belonging for our youth, and the difference having these conversations makes in students’ lives.
As educators, we get to foster safety for our students, even when it’s not easy.
Because feeling safe to be our most authentic selves is how we all grow and shine!
Stay empowered,
Jen
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
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About Eric Williamson
Eric Williamson is Black Boy Joy! He has captured the hearts of many on international stages with his magnetic energy and light. A former conductor with the Grammy award-winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus and a music teacher at P.S. 32 in Brooklyn, he is no stranger to cultivating communities of belonging for LGBTQ youth. In 2021, he was featured in NY1 for teaching a lesson with NYC Chancellor Meisha Porter on personal pronouns to one of his 1st-grade classes. This led to several workshop opportunities to lead and facilitate conversations with parents and teachers on topics regarding race, anti-racism, sexuality, identity, and culturally responsive teaching. He recently joined the national facilitation team of the Human Rights Campaign Welcoming Schools program, the Nation's largest bullying prevention and LGBTQ+ inclusive education initiative.
A native of Teaneck, NJ, Mr. W
Stay empowered,
Jen
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
empowerededucator.com/resources
Instagram: @jenrafferty_
Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room