I grew up abroad. In elementary school, I was often the only Black male in my class. Even though there were probably racist conversations had around me, I was oblivious. I was aware I was different from most in my class, but my family instilled pride and confidence in me at a young age. However, […]
Instruction & Curriculum
But You’re Such A Strong Teacher
“But You’re Such A Strong Teacher” “But you’re such a strong teacher. I hate this phrase. As a new teacher, it took me a while to understand what this phrase meant. At first, I believed it to be a compliment. I thought it meant I was doing a good job in my classroom and with […]
It’s time to talk about the culture of fear around standardized testing
The temperatures are warming. The skies are bright. The birds are chirping. Spring fever is in full effect, and everyone is awaiting summertime! Unfortunately for educators and students, there is a huge hump to get over…standardized testing. End of the year assessments are looming over us. It seems like the entire school year comes down […]
The Life of a Theatre Teacher: Twelve Jobs in One
This year, I started locking my door during my plan period. The stress and exhaustion of being a theatre teacher is starting to get to me more than before. I have four preps, teach a variance, and direct the shows after school. I need that time to be quiet. I don’t refuse to open the […]
Here’s What the Beginning of Teacher Decline Feels Like
Here is something they never taught me in my teacher credential classes two decades ago: how to confront the first signs I am perhaps losing a step in the classroom. I’m not a hipster in my fashion, not woke in my politics, and certainly not hyperaware of the modern trappings of youth culture. I don’t […]
Pregnant While Teaching – The Ultimate Self-Care Challenge
To my surprise, I woke up 15 weeks ago and found myself pregnant for the third time in my teaching career. After plenty of thought and discussion, my husband and I decided to embrace this surprise blessing. There is a lot to consider when a surprise like this comes up. We already have two beautiful […]
What Teachers Need From Instructional Coaches
Have you ever thought about the role of instructional coaches? There are various models and expectations that instructional coaches have across different school districts. According to one school district, a few job descriptors for an instructional coach include: working with teachers to provide research-based instruction based on the school improvement plan and model effective instructional […]
Teacher Empowerment: Fight the Powers that Be
You gotta go for what you know To make everybody see, in order to fight the powers that be -Public Enemy Public Enemy’s song, “Fight the Power,” was a call to action in the late 1980s for African-American communities (and beyond) to get more political and take a stand against the “powers that be.” When […]