Diverse Classroom Library: Our classroom libraries are in trouble. Just as more teachers are learning that their libraries need books that reflect their student populations, they also have to fight policies at the district and state levels that ban many of these same books from their libraries. Florida, for example, is banning certain materials in classroom libraries […]
Equity
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
You Don’t Have to Watch the Tyre Nichols Video, But Be Ready to Talk About It
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! “Ms. Lamons, did you hear?” My text messages and social media inboxes were flooded with the news of the release of the Tyre Nichols video. Almost ashamedly, I did not recognize his name. I did not know the backstory. […]
Posted inPedagogy
“Let’s Make This Happen”: Following Student Interests to Interest-Based Mentorships
Nothing is more exciting than helping a child find their passion – but are the adults ready? Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! In twenty years of helping children, families, and schools harness the power of interest-based mentoring, I’ve seen how it provides transformative educational experiences. Along the way, I’ve […]
Posted inOpinion
Want to Keep Special Education Teachers? Try Mentorship
“[O]ne of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone.” -bell hooks Isolation island seems to be the name of the game when you enter into the special education profession. It’s often a sink or swim mentality which results in teacher retention […]
Posted inEquity
Moving Beyond Diversity to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Lessons from a Sunday Sermon
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Black teachers are leaving education at an alarming rate. What can we do to address this? Recently I gleaned some ideas from a Sunday Sermon at my church. Mary Stutts, Chief Global Health Equity and Inclusion Officer, author, and […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
50 Years and We Still Aren’t Fully Safe in Our Bodies!
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court struck down a Texas statute that criminalized abortion except to save the mother’s life. The decision in Roe v. Wade established a woman’s constitutional right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. Yet, here we are in bodies that aren’t fully safe. Before we could reach the 50th […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Why You Should Be Celebrating Religious Freedom Day in Your Classroom
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Religion is a touchy subject in most American classrooms, especially for those of us working in public schools. It is a slippery slope that many teachers navigate very carefully; no one wants to offend a student, parent, or co-worker […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Environmental Racism Closes Jackson, Mississippi Schools…Again
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! An entire public school district goes virtual in September 2022 due to a city’s failing water system. Videos show dark brown water pouring from faucets in the homes of Jackson, Mississippi, residents during the same month. Fast forward to […]