Posted inLiteracy

First Survival, Then Reading: Teaching Literacy in the Midst of Trauma

Teaching reading is hard. There are countless systems and strategies designed to teach reading—Science of Reading, Wilson, Orton-Gillingham, Fundations, and many others. While these programs provide valuable frameworks, none of them can fully prepare educators for the complexity of how children actually learn. I learned that lesson one Monday morning during our reading, phonics, and […]

Posted inMental Health

Black students are more than their trauma: A call for strengths-centered support

In the realm of education and mental health, discussions surrounding the well-being of Black and Brown students often revolve around trauma and social-emotional learning. While addressing mental health needs in schools is undeniably important, it’s crucial to recognize that Black children are not a monolith defined solely by their struggles. A troubling trend persists—a tendency […]