I often think about how we reflect the true diversity of the people in our schools and communities. Recently, I was talking with a student about the how LGBTQ folks are increasingly being represented in on TV and in the media. I made some quick remark about increased visibility being beneficial to us all. Without hesitation the student said, "famous people do not represent my experience as a young person in this city". The student went on to explain that these individuals are typically wealthy, white and popular. In addition, famous people have access to designers, surgeons and a host of other supports that help them project the image they what the public to see. This student told me that they need to see young people, students of color, and lot more nonbinary representations of gender.
I want to share a few examples of how we can create greater visibility in our schools and communities for people who are often underrepresented. This is a small collection of images that will work in middle and high schools. I am doing a little digging to find ways this can be done similarly within elementary schools.