I wanted to focus on the strategies “Broaden your circle” and “Monitor your daily intake of media.” As a teacher, I think both are key to understanding the perspectives of the students in my room. Broadening my circle means intentionally connecting with people, both inside and outside of school, who have different backgrounds, beliefs, or experiences than I do. This could be as simple as collaborating with colleagues who teach different subjects or making time to listen to students’ stories that I might not normally hear. I'm also not opposed to her suggestion of testing out new restaurants of different cultures! The more I understand different perspectives, the better I can relate to my students and create lessons that reflect their realities.
Monitoring my media intake is just as important and ties into mental health practice! The information and voices I choose to listen to shape how I see the world and how I interpret my students’ behaviors and experiences. If my news, entertainment, and social feeds all come from the same type of source, it limits my awareness. Media and news is so divisive and drives people apart. By being more intentional and following a wider range of creators, educators, and voices, I can model digital awareness for my students. Both strategies remind me that cultural awareness starts with the choices I make every day, not just what I teach.
