2021: This Summer’s Promise PLUS Reviews

As in keeping with tradition, I’m posting my summer’s reading promise. This has been a great reading year for me--probably helped me escape the stress of the pandemic. In light of that, I thought, in addition to sharing the books I plan to read, I’m also going to review the books I’ve read--an added bonus.

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Looking Forward to 2021

Instead of harping on this rollercoaster year, I’m choosing to look forward. While 2020 has had many more challenges than the years past, there are parts worth remembering. It’s the year we rolled back to a simplicity unlike any other time living in my memory--being with family,  in our protective cocoons, being reminded of what...

2020: This Summer’s Promise (And a disclaimer regarding novels by authors of color)

We need to continue to read, listen, and educate in order to evoke change. It begins with one step and then another. It begins when we each take responsibility to make a change. We can and need to do better.

On the Pulse of Remote Teaching: Week 12 (the last)

Teacher friends: I wish you all a happy and restorative summer; God knows, we all need it. I wish you and your families health and well being. And, I need to take my own advice now, try not to worry about what next year brings. After all, “We got this” took on a whole new meaning this year, and it’s a story we’ll tell for a very long time. #bettertogether

On the Pulse of Remote Teaching: Week 11

New week. One week bleeds weirdly into the next, yet with each comes new surprises (successes and challenges I could not have anticipated).

On the Pulse of Remote Teaching: Weeks 9 & 10

If anyone told me I’d be making videos three months ago, I would have said they were crazy.  I used to avoid them like the plague, now during the pandemic I’m starring in them. One thing this quarantine provides is an opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone. I’ve made videos for birthdays,...

On the Pulse of Remote Teaching: Week 8

Just as this whole quarantine began for us on Friday the 13th, the announcement came during Teacher Appreciation Week. The irony.

On the Pulse of Remote Teaching: Week 7

If last week was one in which I felt the need to distract myself, this was one that I went within, really thought deeply about stuff. With all of the information coming out from the CDC, the commissioner of education, the CEA president--reviewing guidelines for what needs to be in place before school can open up--I am worried about what school will look like.

On the Pulse of Remote Teaching: Week 6

I approached this week from a mental health perspective. I asked myself, how can I get done what I need to while making my emotional wellbeing a priority? Inherent in being a teacher or a parent or a caregiver of any kind is putting the needs of others first, so this isn’t easy for us. But, now more than ever, perhaps, it’s necessary.

On the Pulse of Remote Teaching: Weeks 4 & 5

These weeks are grouped together because they were both short; our abbreviated Spring break fell within them. Initially, we would have had off this whole week. I would have been in Chicago for Easter with my family as I’m sure so many others had made “plans” for what would have been.  Our administrative team decided...