Thanks to a collaboration with musician and anti-bullying advocate RobenX, I discovered many strategies for reaching students in new and lasting ways.

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.

Throughout my years of teaching, I’ve discovered that students are often more eager to read and discuss horror stories than other material.

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

After teaching at an alternative middle school for the past 4 years, the one thing I constantly hear from new students is: “We can move around in your room and not get in trouble?

Waynesboro Education Farm is an ambitious project. It sits on 1.5 acres of land adjacent to Berkeley Glenn Elementary school in the city of Waynesboro, VA.

When I first learned about The Mentoree, it immediately resonated with me. I was eager to connect with someone who had relevant experiences and could help answer the many questions I had.

During our staff meeting that afternoon, my colleagues and I learned our school had six new students who were Syrian refugees.

Most people tend to assume that my students are capable of less-than-stellar academic performances because they have complicated lives outside school.