My students are so diverse, and yet many with shared experiences. As a teacher, I soon learned to explore these diversities to find even more commonalities. The southeast Asian girl who wore the Hijab felt the same stares as the girl who demonstrated her own form of modesty by purposely not wearing makeup. The unnaturally […]
Posted inEnglish Language Learners
English in America: Is English Really our “Official” Language in Schools?
English, the “Official” American Language Although the United States does not have an official language, everyone knows that English is the language of the land. Despite our history of multilingual immigrants who later became Americans, English has always been the “American language.” Our school system has reinforced this idea and has caused many challenges for […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Culturally Affirming Power of Music
When teachers are thinking of ways to create a Culturally Affirming School Climate, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. What are we already doing that we can use to value and affirm the cultures and backgrounds of our students? One of the easiest ways to make this purposeful shift is to allow the students […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
What Parents Are Saying When They Are Silent
Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Sometimes it can feel like a thankless job. We reach out to parents for support and wait for a response. We call, and they may not answer. Or we only hear from parents when they have a concern. These are all frustrating realities about […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Value of Social Emotional Learning in High School
In a year of challenges, obstacles, and proving our own resilience, social-emotional learning in the classroom is more important than ever. Teachers are burned out by the never-ending changes being thrown their way, while every student is processing recent events in their own way. For some, this can become overwhelming or distracting. Moreover, students are […]
Posted inTeacher Burnout
Take a Sigh of Relief: End of the Year Reflection
Can you feel it? Can you see it? The end of the year is almost here. I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from my fellow teachers everywhere. This past school year has been exhausting. For some – the halls have been dark and full of terror – literally and metaphorically. I do […]
Posted inSocial Justice
The Danger of Honors Classes in Our Schools
When it was time to receive teaching assignments for the 2021-2022 school year, our department gathered around our principal in the hallway. The six of us stared back and forth, wondering why she was so excited. Then she said it; she turned to our history teacher and announced that he would teach honors next year. […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
Would Education Collapse If Teachers Stopped Working for Free?
On Friday, the science teacher on my team rolled past my door on Friday afternoon. In hand – or on wheels, rather – were 2 carts full of spirit wear that she and her student council members created, sold, and distributed. “Only crazy people come back to school on Fridays.” When our school’s nurse retired […]