In 1984, Dunkin Donuts released a commercial starring Fred the Baker. Fred becomes somewhat famous, and his one-liner resonated among workers who related to his daily grind-“it’s time to make the donuts.” As the 2020-2021 school year continues on an endless repeat, I have begun uttering: “It’s Time To Make The Donuts,” as I drag my […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
As a Student, I Needed A Culturally Responsive Curriculum; As a Teacher Lets Change That
By Joshua Dean When I was in High School, I never questioned the curriculum much. I was too busy thinking about football or my high-school sweetheart. As a graduate student pursuing an MFA in Poetry, I read the Dreams Songs without causing a stir in class. Even when the professor mentioned that John Berryman wrote […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
At My Breaking Point: An Interview With An Educator Who Nearly Quit
At My Breaking Point: One Educator Reflects This year has pushed so many educators to their breaking points. One of the most passionate, creative, and loving teachers I know very nearly quit her job. She’s an English Language Arts and reading specialist at a Title 1 middle school in a rural, coastal town in Washington. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
10 Ways to Teach Like Ted Lasso: Part II
“You know what the happiest animal in the world is?” asks Coach Ted Lasso, star of the eponymous comedy on Apple TV+ to one of his players down in the dumps. “It’s a goldfish. It’s got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish.” This is just one of the many wit and wisdom combos served to viewers in […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Inhale Adversity, Exhale Hope: Reflections of a Black Educator
I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until I heard the words. “Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.” I let out a slow and deliberate exhale, one full of relief for George Floyd’s family, his friends, and for the brave soul who captured the video of this public lynching. I continued to exhale for my family, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
About Me, By Me Assignment: What Happened When My Students Spoke
Teachers: have you ever decided to do a lesson, and it just explodes into a different beast than you’re expecting? Have you ever steered away from the Common Core and done something to drag your students out of the everyday content sludge? As a Special Education teacher, my curriculum is written by me for my […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Learning Loss Discussion is Misguided
“How are we going to navigate learning loss?” “What about the students who aren’t having their needs met?” “What are we going to do about next school year?” Learning loss is the term of the year. It seems like everywhere you turn on the internet there is a discussion about the impacts of the […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Culturally Relevant Lessons in the Life of DMX
I remember when I first taught the life, music, and poetry of Tupac Amaru Shakur back in 2002. I received my first written complaint questioning why an educator would “glorify a thug.” I knew then I would continue to find ways to tap into my students’ interest by using Hip Hop Culture in my curriculum. […]