Blog Layout

Sowing Seeds of Equity: What does this look like?

Rhonda Higgins • Oct 07, 2024

     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.

 

I recently ran across a post from Asheka Tenzin-Experienced IBEN Educator. She shared the IB Leadership Capabilities which is an infographic that displays the qualities of an IB leader and how it closely aligns to the IB Learner profile traits. If you are not familiar with the IB learner profile traits, they are a set of attributes that aims to grow students in the following areas: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective. Teachers in an IB school should be working to develop these qualities in students. So I was intrigued by Asheka Tenzin's post.


Her post reads,

"The IB Leadership Capabilities and the Learner Profile are interconnected, with many shared traits and values. Effective IB leaders not only possess these capabilities but also cultivate them in others, creating a learning environment where all members of the community can thrive."


I thought about a recent visit I took to a fellow MYP Coordinator's school and she shared with me how they have a student recognition program that recognizes students for demonstrating the IB Learner Profile trait of the Month but also recognizes Staff!  I thought that was a great idea and as we do in education, we adopted that same practice at my school!  I should say that we were already recognizing  students for the IB Learner profile of the month but recognizing staff we have not done...until now!  


This speaks growth to me. As we are culivating these attributes in students we should also be cultivating them in ourselves as educators.  I think for me, working on Relational Intelligence as a new coordinator will be pivotal as we try to grow adults in the implemenation of the MYP program, which for us is only two years old. We have a long way to go in getting teachers on board with intentionally infusing the IB philosophy throughout their courses consistenly which also subscribes to implementing equitable grading practices within our programming. I'm excited to start having discussions about how teachers can build the IB philosophy of teaching and learning in their clssrooms and equitable grading practices, however, focusing on relational intelligence, I believe will be a key factor moving forward. If you are a new educational leader, is there any one of the IB leadership capabilities you think should take precedence over the other?  In what other ways should we sow seeds of equity in and outside of the classroom? I'd love to hear your thoughts.  





Until next time...


May the seeds we plant today, whether in our classrooms or our gardens, grow into a future rooted in equity, understanding, and care. Keep nurturing, keep learning, and keep sowing with compassion.  Rhonda Higgins   

How Grading and Gardening Aligns: Storytime...

By Rhonda Higgins • 29 Sep, 2024
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.
hand holding a plant

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

By Rhonda Higgins • 21 Sep, 2024
My Why....An IB Spanish teacher's journey to sow seeds of equity in schools while simultaneously cultivating her passion for gardening, teaching Spanish to our youngest language learners, the IB, and sharing about more equitable grading practices.
More Posts
Share by: