I can remember it clearly. I was sitting on the floor next to my sisters and watching a small box television mounted on top of a T.V. tray that was not built to hold a T.V. We sat on the floor as we heard that familiar sound of a child’s piano playing. We would get […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
10 Ways to Teach Like Ted Lasso: Part I
“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 […]
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Anniversaries are Testimony: One Year of Pandemic Teaching and Learning
One year. Just one. And yet, a year feels like a pivot point. So much sacrificed, rearranged. Discussing the turning point battles of the second world war with my students had me analyzing the impact of specific dates. I informed my classes: ‘”My grandparents want you to know the importance of December 7, 1941. Your […]
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Always a Scapegoat, Never the G.O.A.T
I learned whose fault the pandemic is. And who’s responsible for the students and their well-being. It’s the teachers. It’s my fault. How do I know this? Because someone told me. Let me rewind a bit…. I’m to Blame During our mid-winter break, I had a scheduled annual EEG appointment for my migraines. This is […]
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Teaching Black History for One Month a Year is not Enough
As February comes to a close, another Black History Month ends. No doubt, educators around North America and the world hopefully spent this month intentionally highlighting Black people and their achievements, and their contributions to our societies. Growing up in Jamaica, I hadn’t really had much experience with Black History Month (apart from seeing the […]
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Opinion: Deliver Us from the Biden Administration’s Focus on Testing During a Pandemic
While working from home, I quite often have Spotify playing in the background when one of my favorite favorites came on — Deliver Us from Prince of Egypt. With the sting of the whip on my shoulder With the salt of my sweat on my brow Elohim, God on high, can you hear your people […]
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OPINION: I Chose The New Deputy Secretary of Education Myself Once
The school in which I teach, and now send my daughter to learn, lies in one of the lowest socioeconomic neighborhoods in San Diego. Nearly all of its students qualify for free and reduced lunch, the vast majority of the students speak English as a second language and teachers teach their hearts out. But there’s […]
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Sign the Petition to Suspend/Waive Standardized Tests in 2021!
I cannot believe I’m saying this, but teachers have begun proctoring standardized tests, and many more will do so in the coming months. This Presidents’ Day, I am sending this petition to President Joe Biden and other government leaders of education. Please support by signing and sharing with others. American K-12 students should be granted a waiver […]