I teach for revolution. I teach for liberation. I teach for justice.
Every day, I show up with a mission and a determination that extends past the skills and knowledge I teach. I challenge racial capitalism with inquiry, questioning, and critique; I teach my students to do the same. I work to build solidarity with my students to challenge systems of oppression. I dwell in infinite possibility and share that radical reimagining with my students and colleagues.
I work to transcend settled science expectations by creating classroom moments where students bridge the artificial nature culture divide. I believe engagement is the foundation for learning, and I curate a classroom so that it is never boring. Every student is capable, and it is my responsibility as an educator to create the supports, settings, and communities that allow my students to thrive. I work to center the most marginalized in my practice. I seek out feedback from those who have the least power and work with them to create structures where everyone can thrive. There are positive alternatives to high stakes testing, and I work to find ways for students to show the skills and knowledge they have acquired every day in class and through cumulative projects.
Teaching and learning are radical acts of compassion and love. We must make
ourselves vulnerable in order be able to teach and learn. I incorporate a
transformative justice framework in my classroom spaces in order to cultivate a
healing space when resolving conflict and hurt. I work to create a safer, brave
shared classroom space where everyone feels fully present with all of their
identities and experiences.
Jenn Leyva 