Hey Y'all! We wanted to share this episode we recorded last summer with Naomi with because it seems so much more relevant now than it did when we recorded it. We are seeing examples everyday in our country of what our students of color face and we all must do our part to make changes and serve every student.
What does it take to create cultural relevancy for students? If you were Naomi O'Brien growing up it was simply to have a teacher ask you about who you are and what you like.
On this episode Naomi (Instagram: @readlikearockstar) talks about how her educational experience impact how she strives to connect with her early elementary students today. When asked what the one thing every student should be taught she responded with the ability to know what they need and how to ask for it. And she strives to do that with her kids and works with them on the language needed to ask for things.
We also had the chance to chat how to put language to social justice issues for both students and teachers. Naomi says that we often don't talk about difficult issues because we don't have the language or don't know how to ask the right questions, so with her students she often focuses on what justice would 'look like' in certain fictional and literal situations.
We wrapped up the conversation with practical ways to build better relationships with parents like sending newsletters home in their native languages and better relationships with colleagues like venturing to other parts of the building to see people.
We're so grateful to Naomi for sharing her story and wisdom and we hope you enjoy this episode!
If you are interested in working with us please take the time to us out at patreon.com/valueaddsvalue
