This course introduced me to the concept of Third Space which encompasses many pedagogical approaches that I’ve already assimilated into my future plans as a teacher (such as deficit theory, positioning theory, and culturally sustaining pedagogy). I feel like it is of the upmost importance to not just support our culturally and linguistically diverse students, but also facilitate opportunities for them to lead the classroom. I radically imagine doing this in my future English Language Arts classroom in many ways, one of which being lessons designed to call upon students to enter their own Third Space.
I want to be clear that I do not intend to tokenize or require students to be the spokespeople for their respective culture, background, or language. Rather, I want to design writing activities, analytical group work, and class-readings that platform these students. Whether they decide to lead conversations, or are simply inspired to write about/use their funds of knowledge in their work is up to them. I will simply be thereto guide, appreciate, and advocate for their Third Space.
