Rashida’s words remind me that being asked to speak is not the same as being truly heard. Even when dialogue happens, students’ insights can be filtered or dismissed by adults who hold more power. Her hope that personal experience can move someone to take action reveals a quiet kind of strength. It’s thoughtful and brave—she’s using her voice not just to describe injustice, but to change who listens and how they respond

This paragraph made me think more deeply about how much pressure transgender students face just to stay safe or be accepted. It’s painful that some feel forced to either hide who they are or try hard to match strict gender expectations. It shows how school environments can make identity feel like a risk, not a right. It’s not just about fitting in—it’s about avoiding harm.

What stood out to me is how Paco naturally blends languages while reading, treating English and Spanish as one full system instead of switching back and forth like separate parts. His way of reading feels fluid and full of joy, which is very different from how reading is often taught in school. I think this shows how bilingual children can build their own literacy pathways, even before formal schooling, especially when their home environment supports it.