SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

Mrs. Kramer’s 1970s Childhood Challenge

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2021 Issue

By Kristina Kramer

After 30 years of teaching and 14 years of being a parent, it wasn’t the books, the courses, or the counseling that would so clearly encapsulate the purpose of my job as an educator and a mom. It would be a 30-second video clip of a 10-year-old boy on a bike that would pierce my heart and show me what is really important in this world.

It was May of 2020, and I was scrolling through my emails after a long day of Zoom and Google Classroom. My eyes were getting bleary, so I took off my Telluride ballcap (brought out especially for our “wear a hat to Zoom class” day) and popped on my blue light glasses before checking one last email, from the parent of a student that I was a bit worried about.

The email contained a video of Jake, who was new to my school that year. Jake struggles with anxiety and goes to therapy for food aversion. And now, Jake stays home while his dad works on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The video showed Jake attempting to ride a bicycle for the first time. It was a spring morning and the birds were chirping in the background, along with the sounds of the chimes on the front porch where Jake’s mom was filming from. I held my breath as Jake shakily took off down the driveway and wobbled slowly onto the road, then I let out a sigh of relief as he kept peddling. His blue jacket flew behind him like Superman’s cape, while his mom whispered encouragement the entire time. When Jake finally stopped and turned to look into the camera, he was beaming from ear to ear.

In that moment, Jake wasn’t the kid with anxiety or the kid with tactile issues. He was just Jake, a boy on a bicycle.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Kristina Kramer has been teaching grades 1–8 for 31 years. She has a Master’s degree in literacy and is also an adjunct professor at Wheeling University in Wheeling, WV. She leads professional development workshops in the areas of reading and writing. In her free time, she explores the great outdoors through biking, hiking, traveling, and gardening. She currently lives in Wheeling with her husband and son.

Education News

The Birth of StoryQuest™: Storytelling Framework Reignites Writing Confidence in Students

“The Adventures of Gabriel,” a book co-authored by an 11-year-old boy and his mom, has blossomed into StoryQuest™, an emotional literacy initiative piloted in the U.K.

Talking Educational Equity with Bush Fellow Marvis Kilgore

A dedicated teacher and educational equity strategist, Marvis Kilgore is passionate about increasing Black male representation in teaching. In our conversation, he shares his vision for transforming education.

Student Sleep Health Week Highlights the Powerful Connection Between Sleep and Well-Being

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is hosting its sixth annual Student Sleep Health Week from September 15–19, bringing together families, educators, and community groups to highlight the importance of healthy sleep for students of all ages.

Supporting the Next Generation of AI-Native Learners

The question is no longer should students use AI, but rather: What skills do we equip students with to prepare them for a future where AI is a part of their life?

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Kristina Kramer
Kristina Kramer
Kristina Kramer has been teaching grades 1–8 for 31 years. She has a Master’s degree in literacy and is also an adjunct professor at Wheeling University in Wheeling, WV. She leads professional development workshops in the areas of reading and writing. In her free time, she explores the great outdoors through biking, hiking, traveling, and gardening. She currently lives in Wheeling with her husband and son.

Advertisement

Read More

The Birth of StoryQuest™: Storytelling Framework Reignites Writing Confidence in Students

“The Adventures of Gabriel,” a book co-authored by an 11-year-old boy and his mom, has blossomed into StoryQuest™, an emotional literacy initiative piloted in the U.K.

The Value of Accessing Professional Development in Your First Years of Teaching

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.

Talking Educational Equity with Bush Fellow Marvis Kilgore

A dedicated teacher and educational equity strategist, Marvis Kilgore is passionate about increasing Black male representation in teaching. In our conversation, he shares his vision for transforming education.

Student Sleep Health Week Highlights the Powerful Connection Between Sleep and Well-Being

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is hosting its sixth annual Student Sleep Health Week from September 15–19, bringing together families, educators, and community groups to highlight the importance of healthy sleep for students of all ages.

Supporting the Next Generation of AI-Native Learners

The question is no longer should students use AI, but rather: What skills do we equip students with to prepare them for a future where AI is a part of their life?

Break the Ice: The Ultimate Back-to-School Toolkit

Here are six simple icebreaker activities, as recommended by K–12 educators, that are sure to help make this back-to-school season your best one yet.
bestes mobile casino online | cuernavaca casino | como ganar dinero respondiendo encuestas de amazon | sitios para ganar dinero por internet | codere bono 600 | casino plaza | casinos in mazatlan | dual play ruleta live | juego de cartas conquien | jackpot | ruleta rusa 2018 | como ganar dinero en instagram con frases | agen taruhan joker123 casino online | casino sport | juegos recomendados | como ganar dinero por internet aplicaciones | casino español cordoba | el casino del diablo | casino royale monterrey | ruleta de colores como hacer | bonos para casino online | manchester city vs crystal palace | caliente mexico | casino de la laguna | casinos en villahermosa | macao casino cancun | apuestas deportivas | blogger para ganar dinero | casino demo | apuestas deportivas caliente | casino cosmopolitan | casino online nuevo | bc casinos | la ruleta aleatoria | ruleta al azar | como le hago para ganar dinero en kwai | ruleta inna letra español | como ganar dinero en una maquina de casino | tragamonedas gratis online | air max 97 dia de muertos | casinos bonos bienvenida gratis sin deposito | caliente mx app | rey casino | ganar dinero con juegos android | fichas de poker | casino paradise | ruleta manual casino | si creo un blog puedes ganar dinero | juegos casino | en verdad se puede ganar dinero contestando encuestas | hotel casino de la selva | casas de apuestas mexico | casino viva mexico | 7 mile casino | como ganar dinero en máquinas tragamonedas 2018 | apuestas online | casino new york | casino playa del carmen | juego ruleta rusa pistola | donde jugar casino online | aviator betsson móvil | winner casino bono $700 | casino candy | slot machine jackpot | descargar app para ganar dinero en paypal |