SHAKER LIFE | SPRING 2016 53 perspectives. I might see things differently from some of my colleagues; it’s not better or worse, it’s just a different lens. I think the idea of equity in education is really important. Life is a challenge for many of our students. As a teacher, a lot of things we deal with to help our students make progress, we have no control over. The home environment has a big impact. Maybe they have a single parent who works multiple jobs, and they have to go with that parent to the job, which makes it hard to get the homework done. Some have very limited access to technology. Inclusion for kids with special needs is also really important. Having those students feel that they are typical peers does wonders for them. Having other students view them as their typical peers is important as well, to understand that there may be some differences, but in other ways they are a kid just like you. We need to include those students in the classroom and in every social setting as much as we possibly can. I teach here and live here because this is home. My mother worked in this district as a special education aide, my brothers and sisters all graduated from here brother Lloyd is also a teacher, in the Orange City School District. My parents worked hard to keep us here, even when it wasn’t always easy. When it was time to move back here and teach, I wanted my son to get the same experience I had, both inside and outside the classroom. I’m extremely proud of the direction this district is moving, and I want him to be a part of this. SL
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