My Hands

James Banks identifies 12 essential principles for teaching and learning in a multicultural society in Diversity Within Unity. These principles involve teacher and student learning, intergroup relations, school governance, and assessment. My logo represents who I am and what I believe as a multicultural educator. My logo description shows how my philosophy aligns with many of Banks’ principles.

The hands belong to me. These are the hands of a teacher, parent, and one who encourages learning and extra-curricular opportunities. Banks’ fourth principle states that all students should be given these extra-curricular opportunities. These opportunities are richer, deeper, and more rewarding when they include interaction with diverse groups of people. They are cupped together and symbolize giving or holding out what I have to offer.

Banks’ second principle says that all students should be given equitable opportunities to learn. As an educator, I can give equitable opportunities that are influenced by my own unique experiences. According to Banks’ third principle, students should understand that knowledge is socially constructed and reflects this unique experience as well as the unique experiences of other educators and researchers. My hands are also held out to symbolize receiving. Banks’ first principle encourages professional development that helps teachers understand the characteristics of diverse ethnicities. I am open to new experiences and ideas that differ from my own. This allows me to enrich and build upon the foundation of my own culture.

The pin was given to me while I worked in social work. I was told it represents acceptance of ALL children. The pin shows all children joined together holding hands. Love exists within their circle. Where there is love there is no room for prejudice or stereotyping. The sixth principle of Banks states that students should learn about how stereotyping can cause negative outcomes.

The crayons represent everyone. There are old crayons and newer ones representing all ages. There are many colors representing all genders, races and cultures of people. These crayons were selected randomly to be held in my hand (the fair and judicious way to do it). I did not hand-select them to fit a quota. Some of the crayons are without their paper, some broken, some used. This represents everyone … differences in physical abilities, socio-economics, mental health, family dynamics, history, etc. Also, crayons are a tool young children use as they begin the journey into their school years. This tool is provided to all children — just as all educational tools, funding, assessment, and decisions should continue to be provided or be beneficial to all.

Banks shares these values in his final two principles, eleven and twelve, where he addresses the importance of equitable funding and culturally-sensitive assessment in education. To me the individual crayons bring their unique hue, but when combined with others create something more beautiful. It takes many colors to make a masterpiece.

January 26, 2009

A is for advocate
            For a child as their parent, social worker or teacher.

B is for broken, battered or bruised
            I understand.

C is for ch’i
            Keep this energy flow balanced and positive
            to bring great things in life.

D is for disability
            Little sis only knew mom in a wheel-chair,
            before medication an uncle had the government
            spying on him, and an aunt always had an extra copy
            of the 21st chromosome.

E is for empathy
            Attentive listening, patience and concern are needed
            to truly understand from the perspective of another.

F is for family
            My steps and halves, my neighbors and best friends,
            my blood or not.

G is for goals
            Something to reach for.

H is for Higgins
            Who I legally was until 18, but will continue to carry
            through my blood.

I is for Irish and Indian
            Combined with some English and German,
            are the ingredients in me.

J is for Jenny
            The little girl that grew up to be Jennifer.

K is for Karma
            What comes around goes around.

L is for ladder
            It must be climbed one step at a time to reach lofty heights.

M is for military
            force that moved my family to many states
            and foreign lands.

N is for needs
            The basics for everyone that must be met
            before wants are obtained.

O is for optimistic
            My glass is half full.

P is for promise
            I make only what I can hold true to.

Q is for quarter
            The percentages of children I believe have
            secret skeletons in their closets.

R is for Rogers
            Where I have spent all of my adult life
            and bore my children.

S is for seven
            My age when my mother moved out
            with my two younger siblings.

T is for Türkiye
            The place of my sister’s birth, my high school graduation,
            and where seventeen years of a loving marriage began.

V is for variable
            In mathematics it represents any number;
            in life it brings unexpected changes.

W is for worth
            The treasure in all of us that parents and teachers
            have a duty to help children find.

X is for xenial
            One who practices hospitality
            entertains God himself (Proverbs).

Y is for yin & yang
            The balance that is in all things.

Z is for zuche
            When the tree is giving, don’t take and take
            until all that is left is the stump.

February 27, 2009

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