#DisruptRacism

Yesterday I attended and participated in the Border Crossers Training on Talking About Race in the Classroom. It was a powerful training and I am excited to share with the Racial Equity Committee in Fort Worth ISD as we move forward as a District in supporting the success of ALL Fort Worth ISD students and ensuring all students are prepared for College, Career, and Community Leadership.

One quote in particular resonated with me and I wanted to share:

"When those who have power to name and to socially construct reality choose not to see you or hear you, whether you are dark-skinned, old, disabled, female, or speak with a different accent or dialect than theirs, when someone with the authority of a teacher, say, describes the world and you are not in it, there is a moment of psychic disequilibrium, as if you looked in to a mirror and saw nothing. Yet you know you exist and others like you, that this is a game with mirrors. It takes some strength of soul—and not just individual strength, but collective understanding—to resist this void, this nonbeing, into which you are thrust, and to stand up, demanding to be seen and heard."

-Adrienne Rich, "Invisibility in Academe"

Here is a link to Border Crossers if you are interested in learning more. Here are two articles we read for the training as well as a link to a video. 

Thank you, Cissy

#DisruptRacism  #TalkingRace  @bordercrossers

Fort Worth ISD Racial Equity Committee

I am proud to be a part of the Fort Worth ISD Racial Equity Committee. This committee will work on, develop, and recommend policy and priorities for addressing race and equity concerns in FWISD.

FWISD will be working with the Pacific Educational Group (PEG) using their training in Courageous Conversations. Founded by Glenn E. Singleton in 1992, the Pacific Educational Group is committed to achieving racial equity in education. They engage in sustained partnerships with educational organizations to transform beliefs, behaviors, and results so people of all races can achieve at their highest levels and live their most empowered and powerful lives. The Pacific Educational Group believes, "Systemic racism is the most devastating factor contributing to the diminished capacity of all children, especially children of color and American Indian children, to achieve at the highest levels, and contributes to the fracturing of the communities that nurture and support them." 

I have also personally attended the CBMCS training. The CBMCS training is based on rigorous research method and is a powerful diversity-training tool to take mental health practitioners and educators from cultural sensitivity to cultural competence. 

I am very excited to be a part of this work as FWISD moves forward to help ALL students! 

Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week!

Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week!

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” — Carl Jung

“I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.” — Alexander the Great

Great article on School Libraries in Education Week

I read a great article today on the importance of school libraries and what they mean to our students. Here is a link to the article. Enjoy!

How the School Library Saved My Life - Education Week

My Brother's Keeper

I am very fortunate and blessed to be a part of My Brother's Keeper in Fort Worth ISD. The My Brother's Keeper initiative was started by President Obama in February 2014. President Barack Obama launched “My Brother’s Keeper” (MBK), in a call to action to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color and ensure all young people can reach their full potential. The President’s vision found its roots in the idea that “my neighbor’s child is my child – that each of us has an obligation to give every child the same chance this country gave so many of us.”

In March of 2014, the FWISD Board of Education pledged in collaboration with the Council of Great City Schools to address specific areas related to achievement for young men of color. FWISD held a community summit, developed a task force, and has worked with the young men in all of our high schools in developing our young men as leaders in our schools and communities.

Here is a link to President's Obama video encouraging you to be a mentor as he, our country, FWISD, and our communities continue to work with our young men.

Week of the Young Child

The week of April 10-16, 2016 is the Week of the Young Child. It is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, and their families. Here is a link to their webpage. Here are some fun activities to do with your young children.

Music Monday: Find the beat to connect music, movement, and math. Practice clapping, drumming, or stomping to the beat of the music while counting. Link to music resources. 

Taco Tuesday: Measure your ingredients while making your tacos! Ask children if they’d like the same or different amounts of each ingredient.

Work together Wednesday: Practice organizing blocks by size! Try building a block tower with large blocks on the bottom and little blocks on top! Share pictures of children’s creations on NAEYC's Facebook page or Twitter using the #woyc16 hashtag.

Artsy Thursday: Bring art outdoors! Offer dark and light paper, chalk and pastels, and suggest children create their own versions of the day and night sky! Share pictures of children’s creations on NAEYC's Facebook page or Twitter using the #woyc16 hashtag.

Family Friday: Invite parents for a Family Friday breakfast, where children can prepare and share breakfast treats with their families!

Becoming a Key Influencer with Social Media

I am at the Fort Worth ISD Technology Conference today learning about digital learning & how I can be an influencer in education. #FWTC16  @FWISD_PLI   @cissymattingly

What a great day! I have had a great time &  I have learned so much!

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