Voices in Education

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An Ode to Educator Self Care

NOVEMBER 17, 2022

At the start of this school year I was met with that distinct classroom smell as I opened the door to my classroom. It was a combination of books, dry air, and the lingering water from the AC vents. My thoughts instantly spiraled: How do I get rid of that smell? Are the vents working? What’s my plan for filtering the air? Am I allowed to mandate masks? What are the latest covid procedures for my specific school site? As educators we know that these thoughts aren’t just reserved for the back-to-school season, they can occur...

Current & Trending Voices in Education

An Ode to Educator Self Care

NOVEMBER 17, 2022

At the start of this school year I was met with that distinct classroom smell as I opened the door to my classroom. It was a combination of books, dry air, and the lingering water from the AC vents. My thoughts instantly spiraled: How do I get rid of that smell? Are the vents working? What’s my plan for filtering the air? Am I allowed to mandate masks? What are the latest covid procedures for my specific school site? As educators we know that these thoughts aren’t just reserved for the back-to-school season, they can occur...

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WHAT Is Media Literacy and HOW Can Simple Shifts Center It

OCTOBER 28, 2022

Think of all the things you read in a day—emails, books, and the news. What about Facebook posts, Instagram captions, Tweets, editorials, ads, and subtitles? How about maps, memes, and infographics? Do you read each in the same way? Likely, you employ a certain set of skills and strategies when you engage with each piece of media. But given the new and ever-changing ways we use technology to receive and communicate information, to be literate in today’s constantly connected world involves skills beyond simply reading and writing...

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Civic Engagement: Local Histories, Family Narratives and Young Leaders

OCTOBER 25, 2022

I can’t believe just two short years ago we were teaching through a presidential election, and now the midterms are just around the corner. During my time as an educator, teaching U.S History and civics to middle school students, I found that oftentimes it was easier for my students to make a connection to the midterm elections during a presidential election year. This connection is crucial to having our students know and feel that they can participate in our democracy. This is also important in aiding ourselves as educators in...

Current & Trending Voices in Education

How To Create A More Engaging Classroom Community

OCTOBER 20, 2022

Our work is the sincere work of preparing the future stewards of our country. It is not hyperbole to say we must prepare our students to face the issues they will inherit. Sadly, our students will inherit a hotter planet, an overpopulated world, a politically unstable democracy, and the social oppression of people and communities–these are real problems requiring solutions that our students can provide if we help them develop essential skills.

Voices in Education

The 3 R’s for Teacher Self-Care: Reflect. Release. Recharge.

JUNE 1, 2022

Teachers have been put to the test this year. There is no doubt about it. In this pandemic era, schools are dealing with rapidly shifting mandates around vaccines and masks, teacher/staff absences due to COVID, increases in violence among students, teacher/staff strikes for better work conditions and pay, more students with mental health concerns, larger special education and counseling caseloads, job insecurity surrounding personal health choices, strained relationships between teachers and school leaders, and now trauma associated...

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Voices in Education

The Boundlessness of Black Joy: Reshaping the Narrative

FEBRUARY 8, 2022

The Black experience in America is not a monolith. Traditionally, especially during Black History Month, we hear a silhouetted story of slavery, the civil rights era/Jim Crow, and countless advocates and allies that work tirelessly in the fight for racial equity. Shaping a new narrative is important to me; one that can be told in classrooms alongside the history. A narrative that highlights the love, successes, power, and flourishing lives of Black Americans today. One that showcases to our emerging leaders and learners that they...

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Voices in Education

7 Ways Teachers & School Leaders Can Support Students in a (Post) Pandemic Year

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

Shorter days, back-to-school sales, and shopping for new school outfits are all telltale signs that summer is coming to a close, signally that the first day of school is around the corner. Unfortunately, this year, the usual back-to-school excitement usually felt by students (and parents) is overshadowed by emerging concerns about the Delta variant and what it will mean for the new school year.

Voices in Education

Tools to Be More Present With Students

MAY 16, 2021

When a child is upset and the adults in their life are able to emotionally meet them in their distress, the child is more easily able to co-regulate back to an optimal state. This is good in theory, but how do we accomplish this when we can’t always decipher when we are present or not?

Voices in Education

Unlearning: Kindness, Color Blindness and Racism

APRIL 29, 2021

Being an antiracist educator means allowing your classroom to be one where your kids see Black, Indigenous and other people of color and their cultures as beautiful and worthy. Overcorrection is necessary if we are going to create a more balanced and equitable society. Being an antiracist educator also means modeling and teaching your kids that standing up for what is right is more important than being “nice” or making sure others feel comfortable.

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