Note from the Editor: Ha Dinh is one of GYTO’s newest family members and we are thrilled to have her. If you purchased a ticket to Level Up, I hope you got a chance to see her amazing sessions on main idea and counting and cardinality! I personally want to thank Ha for her invitation to participate in the digital day of action for #StopAsianHate - thank you for making me better, Ha! Without further interruption, I hope you enjoy and really take to heart her suggestions for creating a more inclusive classroom.

When I was growing up, I wished that I could have seen more of myself represented in the content that was taught, the books that I read, and the history that I studied.  In so many ways, I was there at school along with other Asian American students, but we were simply... invisible.  

This reality that I lived in made me feel devalued and unimportant, even though I knew that that could not be farther from the truth.

Now as a teacher, I have made it my priority to make sure each of my students is seen, loved, and celebrated in the most subtle and visible ways.

01: Build an Inclusive Library

Like mirrors, students need to see themselves reflected in the books that they read and read to them. It is so important that teachers intentionally fill their class with diverse books and read them on a regular basis for read-alouds. These shared moments are the best teachable moments as students are collectively learning from different experiences, building empathy, and analyzing ways to be more inclusive together.

02: Celebrate Different Cultural Holidays

Ask parents at the beginning of the year to share different cultural holidays that they may celebrate and how they celebrate. This will give you ideas and ways to incorporate those special holidays into your lessons so that all students have an opportunity to celebrate and learn together.

03: Be Intentional

From posters to drawings of children on anchor charts to various American figures that students may research on, be intentional to be diverse.  All children, especially, children of marginalized communities love, need and deserve to be represented in the space where they learn. They also need to learn of American heroes who share their backgrounds and experiences.  

I can remember the day when I learned about the first Vietnamese American astronaut while I was teaching. My heart immediately filled with so much pride and joy for him, me, and our Vietnamese American community as a whole.  How did I go to school all these years and was not taught about him?  The disappointment that followed after this discovery is something that continues to fuel my desire to be ever more inclusive as a teacher.

04: Encourage Dialogue

Our discussion time after reading a book that addresses hard topics like racism and segregation is one of my most treasured times in the classroom. I love getting a glimpse into my students’ thinking and encouraging them to brainstorm ways to make positive changes in their own lives, in our classroom, and in our community.

05: Listen to Your Students

When it comes to building an inclusive classroom, I believe that it has to be a collaborative process for it to be successful and meaningful.  While some students may feel comfortable with being pointed out that they resemble the main character in the diverse books, some students would rather the teacher read it as a lesson for the entire class.  I was one of those students.  I wanted to seen, but I didn’t want to be singled out and feel the burden of having to represent my entire race or culture in our classroom.  Whenever this happened, I remember feeling extremely uncomfortable and uneasy to voice my concerns.

By meeting my students’ needs, I know for a fact that I have become a better teacher, individual, and advocate for them.

I hope these give you a better idea of ways you too can create a more inclusive classroom! Happy Teaching!

Ha Dinh is a mom, a primary STEM teacher, and GYTO presenter. You can follow her on Instagram at @happydaysinfirstgrade, on FB here, and at her website.