We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their color.
– Maya Angelou

Early childhood authors and filmmakers Deebie LeeKeenan and John Nimmo ask us, “What kind of human do you want to be?” in their 2021 Exchange article highlighting teacher identities in anti-bias education.

In the article, Debbie and John share their experiences making the film “Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years,” a documentary featuring anti-bias strategies in the classroom and the voices of teachers committed to equity in their daily practice, which invite us to:

• Support children to feel at home with who they are: The teachers in the film reflected on bringing their social identities into the classroom as a way of modeling authenticity and encouraging children to share who they are.
  
  
• Open windows to diversity: This process of sharing is not only critical for mirroring and affirming those children who share our own identities, but is also critical to opening up windows to diversity.
  
  
• Risk being vulnerable: Bringing all of who you are into the classroom comes with inherent risks—especially if your identities have been marginalized or differ from those represented in the community where you teach.
  
  
• Be fully human in the classroom: Veronica challenges us to not only be willing to share more of who we are in the classroom, but also to think about how we support children and families to be fully visible no matter their backgrounds.

Join Debbie LeeKeenan tomorrow, January 15 from 12 – 1 p.m. CT, for a free GatherRound event, “Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values”.  Dive into the lived experience of families working to build a more just world by supporting young children. Come to learn from Debbie LeeKeenan about how we all can build true communities of care.