I thought todays class was insightful. I have never deeply thought about what it would be like to teach difficult topics in the classroom, but it is a very real issue that I am going to face. I liked the metaphor Lynne used by comparing the world to a salad instead of a mixing pot. I think that that would be a great exercise to begin the class with..to celebrate students differences and make it known that we practice respect towards one another. The information at the end of the class about sending home notes to parents about exactly what the teacher will be diving into and running it by the principal was extremely helpful. One of the exercises I enjoyed the most was using the big white paper to write possible questions students may ask about difficult subjects. I am also grateful for the handouts about teaching challenging subjects and teaching tolerance. My favorite quote was, “honest dialogue can lead to increased understanding and compassion for the human experience.” Moving forward, I can use my vulnerabilities, strengths, and needs to become a more effective teacher and facilitate difficult conversations.