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My Inquiry Question

9/27/2018

My own elementary school experience was devoid of any form of ethnic studies; in fact, I do not have any memories of my school experience up until college that required me to reflect on my own ethnic identity or learn about the ethnic identities or cultures of my peers. As I begin my journey as a transitional kindergarten (TK) teacher, it is important to me to center the ethnic identities and cultures of my students in the curriculum to ensure that my students do not have the same experience that I did.

My own memories of my elementary school experience informed my decision to center ethnic studies in my classroom. I wondered, what are the perspectives of my students' families on ethnic studies in their child's TK class, and what memories of their own school experiences in relation to their ethnic identity inform their perspectives.

This all led to the creation of my inquiry questions for my research:

What memories do the families of my students have regarding their own ethnic identities in relation to their experiences at school?

How do their experiences shape how they would like their child’s ethnic identity to be recognized, celebrated, or understood at school?

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I teach Transitional Kindergarten in the SF Bay Area. I recently graduated from Mills College with an MA in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a Multiple Subject Credential.

Prior to attending Mills, I worked for four years as a children’s dance educator, teaching over 250 students each week at three dance studio locations throughout the Bay Area. I continue to teach dance and design dance curriculum materials for teachers across the country to utilize with young students.

I am participating in the Elementary Ethnic Studies Project because I believe in the power of elementary school teachers to support their students in understanding and celebrating their own ethnic identities, as well as valuing and appreciating the complex identities and cultures of others. Teaching ethnic studies in elementary school is critical for the development of a more socially just educational system and society.
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Family Perspectives on Ethnic Studies in Early Elementary

My Inquiry Question

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