Vision and Mission of the Identity Affirming Classroom Team (I-ACT)
I-ACT believes an equitable learning community must engage and nurture authentic, inclusive relationships that cultivate student identity, affirm the whole person, and shape supportive policies and practices.
The mission of I-ACT is to empower educators, students, and the greater community to:
- Learn how to recognize and challenge barriers to affirming and embracing multiple identities.
- Disrupt systems and policies that perpetuate the fear of being authentic; and
- Develop and sustain a culture that fosters identity growth, purpose, and agency.
I-ACT Members
- Monique Boone—AFT Texas
- Melanie Hobbs—AFT, I-ACT Coordinator
- Leander Houston-Enjady—Orange County (Fla.) Classroom Teachers Association
- Kiesha E. Lamb—Equity Consultant, Massachusetts
- Audra McPhillips—West Warwick (R.I.) Teachers Alliance
- Omar Salem—Illinois Federation of Teachers
- Vanessa Valenzuela—ABC Unified School District, California