Meet
Chanita
Teacher. Preacher. Poet
My Style
I always aim to inspire people:
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to think for themselves-that's my teacher style,
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to be moved by something greater than themselves-that's my preacher style,
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through rhyme, repetition, metaphor and other forms of word play, for the joy of it-that's my poet style.
I always show up acknowledging that I am fully human, sharing my journey and inviting others to relate with me. I am:
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Forever curious, inquisitive, adventurous
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A dreamer, scholar, organizer, and activist
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A lover of language in all forms
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Dedicated to equity & identity inclusion
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A resource for mental wellness education
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Envisioning a model for education that increases self-love.
Invest in the human soul.
Mary McLeod Bethune
My Beliefs
I believe that educational traditions have perpetuated a culture of comparing, competing and conforming that is unhealthy and harmful to youth and the collective overall. I believe in liberty and justice for all, and I believe that practices for public education should reflect that. I believe that now is the time to create new traditions for the next generation. I believe in teaching self-love as a model for doing just that, so I teach self-love, I teach practices for teaching self-love, and I support in the creation of structure that foster a culture for self-love.
My Purpose.
Freedom is the only mission--my purpose is to use my gifts of time and talent to live into freedom for myself by supporting my community so that we are all experiencing greater freedom--mind, body, and soul. I hope that my work leads to a greater sense of personal fulfillment and peace for all who experience it.
Professional Resume
Education
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Master Teacher
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B.S. Special Education
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M.Ed. Sp.Ed. Curriculum Adaptation
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Veteran 6-12th classroom teacher
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National Board Certified Teacher- Exceptional Needs Specialist
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Life Coach, Certified by The Brave Thinking Institute
Youth Activism
Writing and Publications
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Advice for New Teachers, 2019
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TRHT Racial Healing Practitioner, 2018-Present
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LDA 58th Annual International Conference Feb. 2021
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Education as Reparations Feb. 2022
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TEDx Speaker, Missouri S&T's Chain Reaction Oct. 2022
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IL Council for Exceptional Children Conference Nov. 2022