Meet Ms. Vashti, our kindergarten teacher and a beloved member of the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy community. Her journey at HMCRA began as a parent and grew into a calling as an educator, and for more than a decade she has poured her heart into supporting our youngest learners. In this spotlight, Ms. Vashti shares her path to the classroom, what guides her teaching, and why this resilient, inclusive community means so much to her.
Q&A with Ms. Vashti
How did your journey at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy begin, and how has your role here evolved over time?
As a parent, I’ve been at HMCRA since 2009, when my son started kindergarten. Five years later, my daughter also began at Milk, and shortly after that, in 2017, I began working on site as a paraeducator. In 2019, I was presented with an opportunity to teach kindergarten, which was a goal I was striving for all along!
Before I began working at Milk, I coached my kids’ soccer and baseball teams (Harvey Milk United, Bay City Bombers, Harvey Milk Rebels), and I was the PFC Events Coordinator, helping to organize the Spring Carnival, the Halloween Dance, and other fun events. Having worn these different hats has allowed me to have a variety of perspectives, and along with over 15 years of teaching preschool, I use these experiences to guide my role as an educator and as an HMCRA community member.
How would you describe your teaching approach, and what beliefs guide the way you work with young learners?
I have always been fascinated by early brain development and how a child’s mind and body come together to make sense of the world around them. I believe that children are competent and capable, and with strong examples to follow, they can learn how to be independent learners.
One of the most important things I’ve learned that drives my work is that children are always responding to the environment that adults expose them to! I love using natural materials and open-ended projects where the students can explore art supplies in new ways and build science models out of found objects.
Our Social Justice Curriculum guides my teaching as well, as we read stories about change makers that the students can relate to. We use their stories to inspire art and writing projects.
I am a proud “warm demander” teacher. Every child has a voice that should be heard; they can do hard things, and they can learn to have a growth mindset. They know I will be there, no matter what, to gently push them toward their goals!
What makes the HMCRA community special to you?
Our community is very resilient! We have been through so much lately, and we have not backed down. We are small but mighty! There is also a sense that when there is a problem, people want to come together to address it, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Our community also works hard to be inclusive. We still have work to do, and we’re not perfect. However, our students are learning how to ask questions about differences, how to welcome new friends, how to learn about various identities of their peers and community members, and how to accept people for who they are. This is noticeable when I hear stories comparing our students to those from other communities, and it makes me proud!
Help Sustain What Makes HMCRA Special
Stories like Ms. Vashti’s are a reminder that the heart of HMCRA is its people and the community that supports them. Our ability to offer enriching programs, inclusive curriculum, and meaningful experiences for all students depends on the partnership of families, alumni, and friends.