The masses of teachers aren’t teaching Critical Race Theory. Roughly 80% of teachers in the United States are white – I can almost guarantee you that they’re not teaching Critical Race Theory. Many of them are uncomfortable teaching about enslavement, do you think they’d be comfortable, let alone knowledgeable, enough to teach Critical Race Theory? […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
What Teachers Can Learn from Naomi Osaka
Like seemingly everything else, issues surrounding the importance of mental health have been highlighted to an unprecedented level during this pandemic. Some might consider athletes, celebrities, and influencers an unlikely source for teachable moments, but the importance of those like Naomi Osaka is the perfect real-time, relatable, and relevant stories teachers should pay close attention […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Critical Race Theory: When the Texas GOP Tried to Stop Teachers From Teaching About Racism
Last week, I read a headline on Twitter that gave me pause – Texas GOP Passes Bill to Stop Teachers From Talking about Racism. This morning I learned that Gov. Abbott just needs to sign off on schools teaching or discussing CRT (Critical Race Theory). I will be the first to admit that I […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
The Price of Accessibility for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students During a Pandemic
Tiffany Johnson-Dreher has worked as an Itinerant Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher for 20 years, primarily with caseloads in the K-12 setting. While school days involve visits to different buildings each day, the gifts are being with students of varying ages and often being with them over several years. She is passionate about her students, about diverse KidLit, and […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Exploring the Commonalities Found Within Diversity in a Classroom
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 […]