This project is important to me because I believe in equitable access to education. As a first-generation college student myself, I know that college can be tricky, and feelings of belonging uncertainty can interfere with getting the most out of the college experience. I believe that faculty instructors want to do well by their students, but it’s not always clear how to best serve all the student populations. I hope this resource enables students to feel like their voices are represented and heard and I also hope that this resource empowers instructors to tailor their classrooms to be first-generation learner-friendly.
An inclusive classroom to me means that everyone feels as though they can bring their full selves to the classroom environment. That students can spend their emotional energy and cognitive resources on learning rather than on figuring out if they belong or what they are supposed to do, how they are supposed to sound, and so on. Inclusive classrooms are richer for everyone because all students share their perspectives freely and everyone feels safe enough to take risks and struggle together for the sake of learning and deeper understanding.