This morning at 6:59 am, I submitted my resignation from teaching in my district on our online portal while I was watching the morning news. Before I hit “submit” I had a moment where I felt guilt over, but three seconds later, it passed and I decided to choose me over my district. After suddenly […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
When Schools Go Virtual: Don’t Blame the Teachers!
School districts across the country are making decisions about whether or not students will be attending classes in person this fall. Last night, my district opted for virtual instruction for the first semester of the school year. Almost immediately after the announcement what was a chorus of praise supporting teachers last spring felt like a […]
Posted inOpinion
Can You Talk About That in Elementary School?
By: Dr. Rachael Mahmood “Can you really talk about that in elementary school?” My colleagues often ask me. Then think for a moment and confirm, “I don’t think you can!” As an elementary school teacher, I often feel the need to close the door when talking to students about sensitive social justice topics like race, […]
Posted inFeatured
The Importance of Visibility for Queer Educators
Guest Writer: Melissa Roy, Ed.D In a gentle way, you can shake the world. ~Mahatma Gandhi On June 15, 2020, something happened that most of us in the LGBTQ community never thought we would see in our lifetime: the Supreme Court ruled gender identity and sexual orientation are protected characteristics under the Civil Rights Act. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Day of Teacher Self-Care is Happening August 1, 2020
On August 1st, 2020, the Teacher Self-Care Conference is coming back for a day of self-care focused around the theme, “The Radicalization of Telling the Truth”. In the last three months, teachers have felt an insurmountable amount of stress around not only the COVID-19 pandemic, but the thrust into virtual learning, the idea that […]
Posted inOpinion
On the Topic of Erasing History: Racist Monuments
As many in our nation call for the removal of confederate monuments in public spaces, there is a loud opposing side saying that to do so would be to erase history. As a high school history teacher who has focused much of her own time and education on the intersection of race, gender, class, and […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines
Before a New School Year Begins, We Must Grieve
I was walking with a teacher friend this weekend and discussing the uncertainty of the next school year. “I want to sit on the rug with all of my students on the first day of school,” I said. “I want to read our first day of school read aloud.” The image practically brought tears to […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
School Reopenings: Let’s Risk it All or Not At All
The speculation from politicians, colleagues, parents, and relatives about schools reopening is exhausting. No one with authority seems to have a plan and no procedures are standardized. I am sick of politicians like Florida’s governor, Rick DeSantis, comparing going to Walmart and Home Depot for twenty minutes once a month to educating hundreds of children […]