National Educator's Coming Out Day

April 9th is National Educator's Coming Out Day in support of all students regardless of immigration status! Last year I worked with many students in Northfield, MN, and this year I work in Tucson, AZ to educate myself and others about immigration issues. Access to educational opportunities can only help strengthen our youth, families, and communities so more people can thrive, achieve their dreams, and inspire others to shoot for theirs.

*** If you're an educator, please consider how you can better support undocumented students. One way is by checking out the Scholarships A-Z website and buying a t-shirt so students know they can come to you. I'm wearing mine! 

Josue from Scholarships A-Z, along with Indira, myself, Nancy, and David from BorderLinks.
 
Another is posting this graphic on your social media sites and helping it spread. You can also print out the photo and post it wherever you find helpful for students and fellow educators to know you are a resource for students regardless of immigration status.

*** If you're a student, think about how you can better support undocumented and DACAmented students. If you are undocumented or DACAmented, it is your decision to come out or not about your status to your friends and your educators, as well as your timing. If you so choose, here's the graphic for you! Also, know that there are educators out there that support you - we're out there and are there to work with you!

*** If you're neither a student nor an educator, I still encourage you to think about how you can best support undocumented students in their educational journeys. Learn about what is going on in your local community and your state regarding DREAM Act legislation, school policies toward undocumented students, access to financial aid, etc.

National Educator's Coming Out Day is led by United We Dream's Dream Educational Empowerment Program (DEEP) & Scholarships A-Z. Scholarships A-Z is an incredible student-led organization here in Tucson working with students, families, and educators regardless of documentation status to figure out pathways to higher education and also organizes for a more inclusive educational system through political and community channels. To learn more about them, check them out here: http://www.scholarshipsaz.org/