It seems almost comical that the most essential core standards of which hold our CSU community together can be condensed in a singular, on-page infographic. Very cool. 10/10. 

While looking over the short list of community principles, I felt it especially important to talk about the inclusion standard.  CSU states it is our responsibility to welcome, value, and affirm all members, as well as their various identities, skills, ideas, talents, and contributions. I transferred from a smaller, private Christian college of tthe coast of Los Angeles where this was noticeably not a priority for many of the students there. Despite being a christiian college, I witnessed some of the most bold and outright homophobic and racist actions of both students and campus ministry messages in chapels and programs offered. However, after coming to CSU, it isn't perfect but I really do appreciate the effort of students and faculty in promoting inclusion of all identities and background. Something that really illustrates this is almost all the Art faculty coming together to acknowledge the new pronouns of our woodshop professor, Cecelia, and celebrate her bravery. We really do take care of Rams here, and although there is always room for improvement, I have seen the inclusion principle held up again and again.

It is important for us to know, understand, and work with these principles with others and in teaching situations  because our student body is so incredibly diverse. We have to be aware of every student's differences and well as the array of different skills and ideas and contributions each can make if we empower them and build them up instead of forcing them into a box standard. Getting to know your students is key so that you can help them to take control of their learning and their impact in their communities and on the world.

#iammycommunity #mycommunityisme

My art activity draws inspiration from the paper chains we sometimes made to count down the days until Christmas. I (painfully) ripped out a page from some of the many books I had sitting on my shelf to represent the different stories each student has. Even if you read that page, you won't have any idea of the whole story from which it came from. I then cut each page in half to make it easier to fold. On each strip, I wrote ways in which I can act out each community principle. For example, "I can show INCLUSION by acknowledging and respecting different pronouns and gender identities." of "I can participate in service by being aware of my impact on the environment and picking up trash around campus and in my neighborhoods." I then made loops from each strip of paper and stapled them together to make a chain. This chain represents the role each individual plays in the greater good of the community. We have a responsibility both to ourselves and to others to build each other up and support them. Similarly, we as future educators must be aware of our own actions and values as well as our students' and promoting healthy culture and classroom environments. 

​

​