In this heightened political atmosphere, our society seems to be replete with instances where white people are being caught on social media being or acting in an overtly racist manner. It seems our Facebook or Twitter feeds will have on a daily basis some video of a white person treating an African-American, Hispanic, or member […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
This teacher says, “Your momma needs to talk to me not through you.”
There is a picture of five-year-old Cardi B, with her hand on her hip, that has been turned into what I will call “my momma said” memes. I have to admit I found them funny until I came across one that said: Teacher: “There are no hall passes so you can’t go to the bathroom.” Me: […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
A Very Teacher Summer
Summer is here! Everyone breathes a sigh of relief because now the weather is going to be nice at least most of the time, and there are fun things to do like camping, swimming, and hiking. As a teacher, I am excited about summer for a different reason. It’s time to revise my lesson plans […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education
Affirmative Action at the Crossroads: Which Direction will the Supreme Court Go?
Affirmative Action: Remedy or Racist? Recent actions by the Trump Administration and the pending resignation of Anthony Kennedy from the Supreme Court have brought into question the status of affirmative action, the set of federal policies instituted by John F. Kennedy to counteract centuries of discrimination against specific minorities in American society. Affirmative action was […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
I Love Teaching Summer School or Am I a Glutton for Punishment?
I tell myself that I love teaching, in theory, I get summers “off”! But I realized recently that I have not taken a summer off in over 12 years! Some may ask why have I consistently worked during the summer? To be honest, the money is pretty good, since it’s my hourly wage without being […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching Immigration Empathy: Why Refugee by Alan Gratz Should Be Added To Your Curriculum
It’s summer vacation which means that most of the Secondary ELA groups I am in on social media are full of teachers asking for recommendations for books to add to their curricula. I am a big believer in the power of books to change hearts and minds, so my suggestions lean toward YA literature that […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Social Justice and the Ethical Obligation of School Counselors
As a school counselor, have you thought about approaching controversial topics with your students? Are you nervous? Do you wonder how to address the naysayers? In light of recent events, I have talked to some school counselors who feel nervous or scared to infuse social justice topics throughout their counseling programs. For example, a counselor […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Taking the Anxiety Out of Student Placement in Special Education
If you are like me you get very invested in your students in special education. So invested that it is difficult to release them to the next special education teacher. I teach kindergarten through third grade mild/moderate special education in a resource room, so some of my kids loop up with me the next year […]