Here is Holly Spinelli, co-manager of My Classroom, offering you a welcome and site tour. Please take a moment to watch this video. This is also where you’ll learn about your first challenge!
Our purpose in this community is to share, build, and grow. We will share of ourselves truthfully, build community, grow in knowledge, offer resources, and learn together all for the end goal of pushing ourselves and education to liberation.
Because this is counter to our culture in this nation, we have some boundaries set up to help us.
- Try on transparency
This means we will practice being honest and speaking for ourselves. While we might be members of groups (for ex: immigrants, women, Black people...) we are also individuals.
- Value vulnerability
We want people to feel their feelings and express them as needed. Emotions will not be weaponized and they can be expressed.
- Breathe before you TYPE
You might read something that enrages you or something that bothers you. This is part of the reality of being in community. We ask that you breathe before you type a thought, response, or comment. We value your vulnerability and also want you to sustain respect and humane conditions.
- Lead with curiosity
When someone posts something that is frustrating (because it will happen), we want you to start your responses by asking a question. Invite them to offer an explanation and give them a chance to explain themselves or take something back. We make mistakes. Opportunities for restoration and reconciliation will be offered.
Some additional guidelines...
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For white community participants We need you to be present, bring yourself in, and not shy away from uncomfortable conversations. We want you here. You’re able and capable to engage in these conversations and to participate in social change. Please watch your participation so you’re not taking up too much space, or more importantly, taking up the space of people of color. Try 3 before me when commenting. Be ready to be held accountable and even better: to grow! Keep in mind the language of ‘resources’ to describe people. Resources are things and people can offer resources, but they are not resources in and of themselves. Be ready to share vulnerably and flexible to learn, in the midst of that sharing. |
For participants from communities of color
Take up space and speak up. This is a space where you can be free to talk, witness, ask, and grow.
Do not shrink on this platform. People want to and need to hear your ideas.
Express your anger, your frustrations, your dislikes, your questions, and your fears. These are sacred.
If ever we need to come together to revisit something you’ve said or done on this platform, we will do so with respect and gentleness and we hope for your openness.
If you’re ever harmed in this space and we’ve somehow missed it, please communicate with us directly and know that we will believe you; we will step forward and intervene.
