Do you remember your first trip to a museum? Each year, school districts across the United States students take a trip to their city's museums to discover art, culture, and history. As educators, we are responsible for introducing our students to the world beyond our classroom walls. 

Close your eyes and think about the students in your classroom who see themselves represented for the first time on these trips. This experience is both exciting and heartbreaking; However, they may not have the words to describe their feelings. 

For millions of students, this is their reality. Most classrooms and schools are not inclusive. The fact is, we have to do more in our classrooms - to help every child see themselves and their families represented. 

The inclusion of LGBTQIA+, abilities, ethnic identities and family structures should accurately depict the world. In this episode of The Morning Meeting Podcast- I am interviewing Ash Bell, an inclusivity consultant, and teacher, to discuss this vital subject. 

Show Notes: 

• ●  [00:00:40] A Morning Meeting Song that celebrates each learner's unique personality. 
• ●  [00:02:05] Get to know Ash Bell, a second-generation teacher. Ash is the founder of the Rainbow Toolbox - a consulting company helping schools, businesses, and governments create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ 
• ●  [00:03:55] Learn how the pandemic and being laid off led Ash to expand their life's work. 
• ●  [00:04:33] What does it mean to be non-binary? Hear Ash explain in their own words and understand the importance of providing children with the vocabulary to describe their feelings. 
• ●  [00:10:34] Is your classroom a representation of the world we live in? Ash shares a few questions to ask ourselves to ensure that it is. 
• ●  [00:10:49] There are several ways to structure diversity in your classroom around LGBTQ+, family structure, diversity, and race. 
• ●  [00:12:05] Are you inadvertently reinforcing hetero stereotypes that suggest heterosexuality is the norm and anything else is different? Ash shares a few common mistakes to avoid. 
• ●  [00:21:17] Looking for books and other resources that provide Early Education text that is forward-thinking? Handprints Publisher offers text that includes: different abilities, religions, and family structures. 
• ●  [00:22:09] How to manage pushback from others -including administration- when introducing LGBTQ+ and diversity into the classroom. 

Resources:
Visit Ash on Instagram
Ash's Homepage
Ash's Consulting Page
Ash's thoughts on the gender binary are influenced by the work of Alok Vaid-Menon. Check out their work here.

Matt's Classroom Resources
Matt's New Music Video!
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