- Treat everyone with respect. This means acting with empathy, integrity, and as an ally. No one should be judged or dismissed based on their level of understanding or experience. (Some even argue that, “if we don’t feel stupid it means we’re not really trying”!) Everyone comes from a different background, and many face inequitable access to education and inconsistent opportunities for success, which the educational framework often exacerbates. To counteract these societal problems, members of the educational community must be inclusive and open-minded, as well as encouraging and supportive of others. We must be willing to share and collaborate as part of a team.
- Do your best. I encourage my students to be honest, curious, and meticulous and careful in their work. Be mindful of how your thoughts, actions, and words impact others.
- Practice a growth mindset: embrace change and uncertainty. It is important to work towards improvement and to be willing to fail, understanding that the outcome doesn’t need to be perfect on the first try. Growth takes time. This mindset requires accountability, from students to institutions. We must take ownership of our failures, while celebrating the little victories and progress to foster a spirit of community. Through accountability practices, we practice metacognition and self-reflection, as meaningful change can only occur when we consider the past and a chart a course for the future.
- Find balance. We must learn to acknowledge complexity while championing simplicity. We must think big but look at the fine details.