AMAZEworks Persona Dolls Ft. Melissa Hendrickx
Melissa Hendrickx
Meet our guest
Melissa began her career in education as a social studies teacher in Texas. She attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, and currently resides in the Twin Cities where she works for Amaze Works updating the Persona Doll curriculum. Amaze works offers so many programs to incorporate more inclusivity into every classroom. They are in a relationship with your school and will meet you where you are and listen to your future goals/dreams for more inclusive classrooms. Melissa’s passionate about incorporating more DEIJ work into classrooms all over the country. As a new parent, she’s always asking herself, “what kind of classroom do I want my kids to be a part of?”; a vital question for us all! New dolls are out soon. Please check out Amaze Works to see all they have to offer!
To find out more about Persona Dolls and the AMAZEworks education programs, visit the AMAZEworks website, follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amazeworks, and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amazeworks1996/?hl=en
““We [AMAZEworks educators] see young kids as agents of change {Bc they do have that power}.” ”
Teacher Takeaways
Persona Dolls
What is a persona doll?
It’s a (life-sized) doll that is brought into a classroom and becomes a member of that class. Persona dolls share stories, advice, and problems.
Benefits of Persona Dolls:
Promote social skills through interactions.
Support social-emotional development through advice/problem solving/family stories.
Stories for each doll are researched and culturally accurate. A curriculum guide is included with each doll.
Dolls provide windows and mirrors (a way to discuss people that are like you (mirror) and those that are different (window)).
Ideally, the Persona Doll isn’t the only representation of that culture in the class. Make sure there are books and other representations of the culture in your classroom so there are many voices of that culture.
Don’t think you have the funds? Get creative! Start a ‘Go Fund Me’ page or another fundraiser. Persona Dolls and the healthy identities they foster are worth it!
Resources
Referenced in the Interview
AMAZEworks Persona Dolls
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