The IB Educator's Green Thumb: Sowing Seeds of Equity

So what does sowing seeds of equity look like? Well, lately I've been drawn back to reading "The Art of Coaching: Effective Strategies for School Transformation" by Elena Aguilar. She breaks down the definition of equity in a very easy to digest way. She says, "In its most simplistic definition, equity means that every child gets what he or she needs in our schools--every child , regardless of where she comes from, what she looks like, who her parents are, what her temperament is, or what she shows up knowing or not knowing." She goes on to say that ,"In order to meet the needs of all students we must also transform the experience for the adults who work in schools." Now I propose to you to read those quotes and substitute the word "teacher(s)" every time you see the word child or students. Does the same ring true? I say yes! Imagine if every teacher gets what she needs in our schools? Students cannot ultimately get what they need if the adults in the building do not have what they need. There are so many needs! I feel obligated to address equitable grading practices because of the growth I've had as an educator in this area. For years I have been working in my own classroom making efforts to make my own grading more equitable. In my new role as an MYP Coordinator I feel I can sow more seeds of equity due to having the ability to work more directly with teachers in this role. In the coming weeks, I will have the privilege to be able to walk through my fellow colleagues' MYP classes. I'm mindful that walking into someone else's classroom can bring a sense of angst for some, but at the same time I'm excited to be able to see the amazing things our educators are doing, as well as being able to talk about equitable grading when the time comes.

This is the story of how my passion for equitable grading practices aligned with gardening through the IB personal project of one of my students.