Could you create and sustain an equitable environment that truly values your students & makes them feel they matter? In this episode, Principal Kafele, a highly regarded urban educator in New Jersey for more than 20 years, digs into how equity is important in the classroom and how to approach it in a way that is beneficial for students. He stresses the importance of understanding inclusion and how to incorporate it into an equitable environment. Principal Kefele identifies and explains the three core principles of equity: student individuality, student cultural identity & student's voice. Tune in, and discover unique strategies to implement in a diverse student learning environment!Key Highlights: [00:01 - 09:08] Opening Segment• Principal Cafe discusses his background in educationHis experience studying African American history and becoming a principal• It is important to start with defining equity before implementing it[09:09 - 18:09] Strategies to Help You Create an Equitable Classroom• Three non-negotiables of equityStudent individuality, student cultural identity, and student's voice• Equity is a strategy that teachers can use to help students learn and be prepared for the world outside• Strategies for creating equitable environments in classrooms [18:10 - 26:59] A Safe and Respectful Environment for All• Why a classroom should be student-centeredChildren should have the opportunity to engage with one another and with the teacher• A student-centered environment allows children to share their perspectives and opinions• Students may not share the same cultural ideas or backgrounds, which can lead to misunderstanding[27:00 - 36:37] Closing Segment• Tips for creating and implementing equity non-negotiables• Educate ourselves and ensure that our students are being exposed to their identity and historyWant to connect with Principal Kafele? Follow him on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Head to his website for more tools and strategies!Key Quotes: "Equity is meeting young people where they are as they are." - Principal KafeleLet’s Connect! You can connect with our host Erica Terry on Instagram and LinkedIn. Be sure to check out her website https://www.ericanterry.comYou can connect with the TeacherGoals community on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, Instagram, and Twitter. If you'd like to engage in Q&A with our guests during the live interview or interact with a rockstar community of educators, then you definitely want to join the TeacherGoals Facebook group.