Add to ORKGThis paper focuses on an educator’s journey during their first year of teaching as they strive to enact social justice core beliefs. The author shares their background, uncovers biases as a result of reflecting on their teaching practice and how they meet their program’s social justice competencies. The paper also relies on case studies of three students with different needs: a student who is linguistically diverse, a student with special needs, and a student who has experienced significant life events, to enact equitable education for all students. This paper highlights the importance of relationships, getting to know students as individuals, and appreciation for their communities as a means to dismantle oppressive education systems