Let’s Focus on Our Students’ Health and Humanity, Not on ‘Getting Back to Normal’

I almost forgot we were stuck at home. My daughter’s pre-K class was on a field trip to the zoo through a Zoom meeting and…

Finding ‘Common Ground’ Will Be Tough in Virtual Classrooms

Some teachers may face addressing cultural differences virtually this fall, as school districts nationwide consider taking instruction online during the 2020-2021 academic year in response…

6 Strategies for Success in the Virtual Classroom

Like an uninvited guest, the COVID-19 pandemic swept into town, upending the school year and our very way of life. As we reinforce the need…

I See Humanity in ‘Full Bloom’ in My COVID-19 Classroom

I used to leave my phone at the front of the classroom in case of emergencies at home. Of course, I didn’t advertise its place…

I Can’t Imagine Not Being Able to ‘Dap Up’ My Students Next School Year

Handshakes are a deeply ingrained part of our society, and they play an important role in daily life. Handshakes, or one of their various cultural…

In Brownsville, Texas, a Pandemic Won’t Stop Students from Learning

The national media rarely focuses on communities like Brownsville, Texas. When they do, border communities are often painted in black-and-white, used as a backdrop to…

Here’s How a Trauma-Informed Approach to Remote Teaching Can Help Students Succeed

Every teacher in every school has students who have experienced or are living with trauma in their lives—and many recognize that the trauma may be…

This Teacher Appreciation Week Comes With a Bittersweet Gift for Educators

I teach and I write. These are my passions.   So you can imagine my bewilderment when I experienced paralyzing writer’s block, all while penning a…

The Case for Keeping Students With the Same Teacher Next Year

The months after spring break are usually the time when teachers in every school across America look forward to crystallizing an entire year’s worth of…

Love in a Time of Distance Learning

As an inexperienced special education teacher, I vividly recall hearing the shouting nearby. I raced down the hall, fearful of an incident brewing. Standing there was…