Representation Matters

 My classroom has flags from around the world hanging in the windows. They bring color and life and joy to my room. (I originally got them to filter light through the windows so I could keep the blinds open and let more natural light in.) This year I decided to let students vote to determine which 2 flags I should add.  

I, of course, learned a lot from this exercise. 
My focus this year is listening to my students more.  So when they suggested we needed a Pride flag I thought, "Of course we do. No vote needed."  When students who were born in Serbia, Peru or Iraq saw their flags defeated in our Flag Faceoff votes, I knew that the $15 I would spend on ensuring each of their flags also had a space in my classroom was absolutely worth it.

My Iraqi student audibly gasped when I showed her that the Iraq flag had arrived and would hang in our classroom.

Our Pride flag is up and the joyfulness of the rainbow lifts my spirit. "Just one supportive adult cuts the chance an LGBTQ youth will attempt suicide by 40%0ver 1.8 million young LGBTQ people considered suicide each year. Any supportive adult can make a difference - not just a parent." This headline from lgbtqnation.com ensures me that this flag was long overdue.