It is my belief that art exists to uplift voices and bring people together. As an art educator, I am committed to providing a learning environment that all students, regardless of differences, can come together to grow, share, and create. We will celebrate and admire each other's differences while practicing empathy and kindness. In order to do this, we will set the tone at the start of the year by creating class norms together that are focused on respect and inclusivity. 

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Another important part of my inclusive classroom is building relationships with students and learning about what makes them unique and what they might need in order to succeed in my classroom. I will always include appropriate accommodations and modifications for all students so that they feel comfortable engaging in the classroom, such as utilizing the appropriate software like Google translate, preparing materials in a variety of languages and sizes, working with a supportive friend, or taking breaks in a quiet area when needed. 

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Additionally, I plan to include a diverse range of artists in my curriculum so that students are exposed to a variety of perspectives and understand that art is for all. This is an essential piece of my responsibility as an art educator because art history has historically struggled to be inclusive, and at times the art world can have an elitist air around it. When possible, I will invite guest artists to share their art and story either in-person or virtually and students will be able to make connections to working artists. Representation is a key piece in my curriculum because students should be able to envision themselves as artists, makers, and creative thinkers in the world. I am committed to making sure that students understand that they are creative and have a place within the arts. 

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While I have a plan for promoting diversity and equity in my classroom, I understand that my ideas have room to grow. I will continue to examine my programming to ensure all families and students have access to information and resources. I am eager to continue learning about ways to advocate for and practice inclusivity from students, colleagues, and community members, and look forward to becoming a more responsive and informed educator.