Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! More and more, I am connecting lessons I have learned from Sunday sermons to lessons I am learning about education. Whether it is a message from my senior Pastor Ricky L. Nutt, or from his son, my dear friend […]
Michele Lamons-Raiford
Michele Lamons-Raiford is a hearing American Sign Language (ASL) and English teacher at Pinole Valley High School in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. She has been a High School teacher for the past twenty years, as well as an Adjunct Instructor at Solano Community College for the past fifteen years. She has a BA and MA in English from Cal State University Sacramento, and teaching credentials in English and ASL from Cal State University East Bay. She is a devoted wife, a mother of a beautiful Neurodiverse Son, and a lifelong Advocate for ASL, Deaf Culture, Students with Special Needs, Culturally Relevant, Culturally Affirming, Anti-Racist School Cultures, Climates, and Diversity in Educational Institutions and Organizations.
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
I’m a Black Woman in Education. I Know Exactly How Ketanji Brown Jackson is Feeling.
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! I remember having my qualifications questioned, dissected and scrutinized. I remember having to pause, take a mental step back and gather my thoughts before responding to an attempt to get me to fulfill the stereotype of an “Angry Black […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines
Teachers, Embrace Your Worth
When this pandemic hit, the closing of schools sent a ripple across America. Parents got a glimpse of what life might be like as a teacher. Amplify that feeling by a factor thirty to forty to equal teaching in a classroom, and they might begin to understand why it is so important to show teachers […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
What Teachers Can Learn from the Story of King David from the Bible
He was sitting in the last seat in the back of the class, hood over his head, barely visible, hiding an emotionless face, slouched over, clearly worn clothing and shoes, with a tattered backpack, doodling in a sketchbook that ironically looked brand new.
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Neurological Diverse Students: Who Will Speak Up For Them?
People often assume that we are well-versed in “all things” education as teachers. Teachers are taught to differentiate instruction for Advanced Students, Struggling Students, English Language Learners, and Students with Special Needs. Over the years, teachers have learned how to meet the needs of students, but we have more to learn. I have had many […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
What Teachers Can Learn from the Life of Cheslie Kryst
I was reading a Facebook (FB) post from the beautiful Gabriella T. Deyi, former Miss Wisconsin USA, Brand Ambassador at Mental Health America of Wisconsin, and one who also happens to be an illustrious alumnus of our high school. I have followed her throughout the years since she graduated, watching her run for Miss USA, establish […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
That Time I Finally Took a Stress Leave of Absence
I don’t think anyone, including myself, believed I would go through with it. I finally took a two (2) week medical stress leave as a high school teacher. The guilt. I couldn’t shake the guilt. I felt like I was giving up, letting so many people down, letting myself down. Transparently and honestly, I felt […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teachers Who Are Parents : The Forgotten Demographic in Decision Making Within Education
Teachers who are Parents: When we were first placed on distance learning back in March of 2020, I remember thinking how privileged I was to have a son who could still attend childcare. I listened to my colleagues who had children and thought about how difficult it would be to try and teach my students […]