I have been reflecting a lot during this Diwali week and am very grateful

My understanding of Diwali is the same as what this article linked for Diwali says — that it is “significant celebration of light, love and joy.” This is very aligned to how I think as an individual and you will see these themes in my previous posts.

One main reflection is to think about my own locus of control. I believe that the concept of locus of control is something that (once people understand it) can be a common communication tool into understanding each other.

People can either have an internal locus of control or an external locus of control. The article mentions that people who have a more internal locus of control tend to me more achievement oriented. The article also states that locus of control is viewed as an inborn personality trait. “Internals” believe it is up to them to succeed while “externals” believe that luck, fate, or circumstance determines how successful they will be.

Honestly, there were many points in the year 2020 where I felt like an “external” and these were during times of deep hurt and trauma.  But, when I took the time to focus on #SelfLOVEandCARE, I began to create and make more connections and felt more like an “internal.”

Ami Patel Hopkins’s Diwali poster.

Upon further reflection, I realized that I unconsciously encourage more of an internal locus of control both as a mother and in my classroom. When our toddler Aiden says, “Mamma I can’t do it,” I respond by saying, “YOU can do it and let’s figure it out TOGETHER!”.

In my classroom, my students and advisees know that their authentic-self is their super power! In the PHSTEAMGalaxy (a.k.a. my classroom), we use the #TripleE (#EmbraceElevateEmpower) in our community. This helps us understand each other as a community of learners and also helps us to realize that we all have different lived experiences and bring different strengths into our community.

The #InnerASHA (Asha means hope in my parents’ native language) tools we use are:  forgiveness, love, empathy and hope.  Our community agreements are #JusticeEquityDiversityInclusion (inspired by an Anti-Racist STEAM Educator and mentor, Dr. Joy).

We also start out each class by focusing a few minutes on our body (how alkaline are you feeling?), mind and heart (which brain part post resonates with you — amygdala, prefrontal cortex, or hippocampus). All of this grounds us as we embark on the science content of the day and it also creates a space for us to show empathy and learn from each other!

I have also been doing reflection around this question:  What type of world do you want to manifest?  You can manifest this through your locus of control. I encourage you to lean in on your community and make connections in order to achieve common goals within your own networks.  Learn from the challenges/failures (weeds) that come your way and fuel your #InnerLoutsFlower through #SelfLOVEandCARE in order to achieve your goals and dreams!

For me, I want to manifest a better world for both Aiden and my students (our future). In this world, we use the same tools as the PHSTEAMGalaxy and we have the global education standards of:

• Antiracism and Anti-Bias (#JusticeEquityDiversityInclusion)
• STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math)
• Storytelling through Narratives and Visuals
• Humane Technology
• Citizen Science 

I believe knowledge is the most powerful tool to achieving our goals.

In January of 2021, the United States of America will have new leadership. With this new leadership, comes the appointment of a new Secretary of Education. Educators are facilitators and thus the role of the Secretary of Education should be the same. They should embrace, elevate and empower what is already happening around education globally!

My question to the new administration is: how are you incorporating the voices of all Americans in the selection of this individual? We can start by asking individuals this question: “What type of education world do you want to manifest?”

###

If you have ideas about issues, policies, and/or perspectives that I should highlight in this column, please complete this submission form. My column focus areas will prioritize submission ideas. The dialogue can be continued at EdSpace.