Stories

equity

Why Are Black Families Leaving Chicago? Maybe They Can't Afford to Wait for Better Schools.

My hometown of Chicago has touted itself as a progressive city for many years. We’ve stood firm in our position as a sanctuary city and recently moved towards the legalization of marijuana—pushing a...

Teaching

More Than Anything, I #LoveTeaching for the Relationships We Build Along the Way

When I divulge to strangers that I am a high school English teacher, I am typically met with skepticism. “You teach teenage brats all day? How do you deal with their attitudes? I would never subject...

California

I #LoveTeaching Because It's So Much More Than What Happens Within the Classroom Walls

I began my career in education 13 years ago, with hopes that I would earn the credentials and experience needed to develop employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. I didn’t really have...

Here's How I Know Our Schools Need More Teachers of Color, Like Me

"You don’t wash your hair every day? How often do you wash it? Every other week?!” The fifth grader with blonde hair that reached just past her shoulders practically had to blink to keep her green...

Diversity

Black History Is American History and Should Be Celebrated All Year Long

As a Minnesotan, February is a signal that the warmth of spring is so close yet so far away (seriously, last Thursday the high was two degrees!). And as someone deeply committed to fighting for...

Social Emotional Learning

Want Your Students to Thrive? Put These 6 Design Principles to Work in the Classroom

Every gathering is an opportunity for transformation. But when gatherings are intentionally designed to deepen belonging, powerful growth is possible. To create a classroom experience that is not...