I know the title is a heavy one, but it’s a thought I’ve had since I started in this profession. I am in an abusive relationship with teaching. I know this isn’t everyone’s story. I see teachers all over Instagram discussing the love and dedication they have for their schools. Their leadership is great. Their […]
Posted inFeatured
Discussing LGBTQIA+ issues in the classroom isn’t pushing a “gay agenda”
Right in the middle of teaching an important and empowering 6th-grade social issues unit, I had an unexpected visit from my principal. I was told that a complaint was received about me through my school’s anonymous tip line. The complaint suggested I shouldn’t be discussing LGBTQIA+ issues in the classroom. As we all know, you’re […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Here’s What the Beginning of Teacher Decline Feels Like
Here is something they never taught me in my teacher credential classes two decades ago: how to confront the first signs I am perhaps losing a step in the classroom. I’m not a hipster in my fashion, not woke in my politics, and certainly not hyperaware of the modern trappings of youth culture. I don’t […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Pregnant While Teaching – The Ultimate Self-Care Challenge
To my surprise, I woke up 15 weeks ago and found myself pregnant for the third time in my teaching career. After plenty of thought and discussion, my husband and I decided to embrace this surprise blessing. There is a lot to consider when a surprise like this comes up. We already have two beautiful […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
What Teachers Need From Instructional Coaches
Have you ever thought about the role of instructional coaches? There are various models and expectations that instructional coaches have across different school districts. According to one school district, a few job descriptors for an instructional coach include: working with teachers to provide research-based instruction based on the school improvement plan and model effective instructional […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teacher Empowerment: Fight the Powers that Be
You gotta go for what you know To make everybody see, in order to fight the powers that be -Public Enemy Public Enemy’s song, “Fight the Power,” was a call to action in the late 1980s for African-American communities (and beyond) to get more political and take a stand against the “powers that be.” When […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Nipsey Hussle’s STEMulus Package
He was different. From the beginning, his mindset wasn’t on diamonds, cars, and clout. He was more focused on the condition of his people. When interviewed as a young up and coming artist, he made it shockingly clear that he was not like other hip-hop artists. His first ever interview, in 2006 with Davey D, […]
Posted inAdult Learning
Teaching With Minecraft EDU
I’m one of those crazies that actually enjoy professional development workshops, at least the ones that we don’t have to do every single year like blood-borne pathogens and diabetes. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the best professional development: Minecraft EDU. This session was based on the popular game Minecraft but with an educational […]