Why?

Diversity; in today's day and age, this word has come to be a driving topic of discussion.  Schools are being flooded with diversity, which paints a beautiful, yet challenging picture for education.  As an up and coming teacher, I am looking forward to working in diverse situations, but need to be sure to equip myself with the tools needed to be successful and reach each child as best I can.  Throughout this blogging journey, I have decided to read and wrestle with H. Richard Milner IV's book entitled Start Where You Are, but Don't Stay There.
   Initially, I decided on this book solely because of the title.  I want to challenge myself as a teacher, but yet be confident in the stage in which I am at as well.  The title alone seemed encouraging, and foreshadowed strong ideas of how to grow as a professional in the classroom.  Since grabbing the book from the library, I have come to understand that this book will dive deeper than what I anticipated.  In the prologue, the writer states that the book will address how to successfully teach students whose "profiles rarely spell success" (pg ix). The book also will introduce the idea of an opportunity gap, something that I see very relevant in my teaching career with both special education and regular education students of various backgrounds.
   So here I go.  As of this week, I am diving into this piece of literature, hoping to immerse myself in rich ideas and insights from Milner.  Paired with my in-class experiences from the past, present, and hopes for the future, I aim to relate my day to day experiences with the information provided throughout this book.  Thank you for joining me on this journey, I pray that God uses this time of study to enlighten me and somehow encourage you as well wherever you may be in your own journey of understanding.