In a school made up of just 10% African American students, after the bell rang, more than half of the students still in the halls were African American. This made me wonder if Black kids are allowed to roam the halls all over America’s urban landscape.

I’ve always believed in the importance of history and that the past has many crucial lessons to teach us. I also care deeply about ensuring that the curricula I teach reflects the diversity of our school and gives each student insights into the experiences of others.

In my classroom, I focus on taking the time to intentionally and thoughtfully form positive and meaningful relationships with my students.

The trick to not using all your personal days during the first month of school is to focus on stopping bad behavior before it starts, instead of punishing students after the fact.

I avidly recall a second grade class that would excitedly huddle around my rocking chair for story time. Students scrambled around sliding chairs to the carpet where I read heartwarming and sometimes zany tales, they reminded me that story time was counted among the most meaningful and cherished moments of a child’s day. Story time is a child’s portal into endless worlds, kingdoms, and dimensions.

After my first week of being in a long-term occasional role, it became very clear to me that learning about being in the classroom is not the same as actually being in the classroom.

Poetry is not some niche subject to be avoided with older English-language learners. On the contrary, it’s a versatile and powerful tool.

The world is in the midst of a technological revolution that has surpassed expectations, and I’m witnessing firsthand how growing up in this digital age is impacting our students.

Students want to read stories that matter to them and, most of all, they want to see themselves reflected within the pages of their beloved comics.