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Your Tomorrow Morning Challenge: The Power of Paying Attention to Indigenous Students’ Strengths in the Classroom

Indspire > Events > National Gathering > Presentations > Your Tomorrow Morning Challenge: The Power of Paying Attention to Indigenous Students’ Strengths in the Classroom

Presented by Karen MacAulay

Karen MacAulay believes that every child—especially every Indigenous child—deserves to feel they belong, are heard, and are valued. Yet too many Indigenous students continue to experience schools where they are seen through a lens of deficit rather than strength.

Drawing on stories from her own journey as a little girl with Indigenous roots, as well as the life-changing impact of a teacher who truly paid attention, Karen introduces the **Tomorrow Morning Challenge**—a simple daily observational practice that helps educators intentionally notice and nurture the strengths of every student.

Participants will discover how three reflective questions can transform teaching practice: *What did I learn about this student today that I didn’t know yesterday? What strength did I intentionally recognize? What will I do differently tomorrow because of what I learned?* Together, these questions encourage educators to move beyond assumptions, recognize their own unconscious biases, and build authentic relationships grounded in curiosity, respect, and high expectations.

Rather than asking teachers to solve systemic inequities, this session demonstrates how meaningful system change begins with everyday classroom interactions. When educators consistently observe, recognize, and respond to students’ strengths, they create classrooms where Indigenous learners experience belonging, psychological safety, and the confidence to thrive.

Participants will leave with a practical, immediately applicable strategy that can be implemented the very next school day. More importantly, they will leave inspired by the understanding that while they may not be able to change the entire education system overnight, they have the power to change a student’s experience every time they walk through the classroom door.

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