I am utterly exhausted, but feeling utterly blessed after this year’s trip to NCTE & ALAN. So much learning, so much laughter, so many amazing conversations, leaving me with so much to go home and think about. I feel as if NCTE is my yearly call to action to center me in the work of doing best by kids. And… Read More
My #TheEdCollabGathering Session: I’m White, So Now What?
I was honored to again participate in The Ed Collab Gathering this weekend. If you aren’t already aware of it, it’s one of the best, FREE, PD opportunities out there. Free, streamed online into the comfort of your own couch, and quality sessions that you’ll want to listen in on. And, the better part (if anything can be better than… Read More
A Text Set to See Themselves In – Providing the Mirror or Window to get to the Sliding Door
Books have the power to open eyes, hearts, and minds. These three books are particularly powerful for the raw, honest, real way they deal with police brutality and how it impacts black teens in our society – the same ones that sit in front of us in our classrooms – in their every day lives. I could too easily see… Read More
Celebrating Read Across America: Why What We Do Matters
I’m all about any day that lets us celebrate reading with our students. Any chance I have to encourage more excitement around reading is something I want to talk up in my classroom. That’s why I enjoyed Read Across America Day. Even with my middle school students, I celebrated Read Across America Day every year I taught. But as I… Read More
Granting Permission to Abandon Books
Encouraging Risk-Taking in Choice Reading You know Ryan. If you’re a teacher, you’ve met him in your classroom. He’s the one who comes in every day and appears to be reading, yet after a month, he’s still pulling out the same book when reading time starts. You just know that book isn’t working for him, so what do you do?… Read More
Something New in the Works
I have something new in the works. And I’m hopeful it will get me back to blogging more here, and offer other opportunities. Stay tuned as plans, details, and website are finalized, & I’ll be back soon to tell you more!
Out of the Classroom and Into…a New Job!
Things have changed a bit since the last time I posted (which was far too long ago)! I am no longer teaching middle school language arts, as I left the classroom at the end of the semester, and this week started my new role as the National Literacy Consultant for Custom Education Solutions. It was a difficult decision to leave… Read More
Most Popular Books in My Classroom 2014-2015
I can’t believe how little blogging I’ve done this spring, but sometimes life gets in the way. Even with busy plans for summer, I’m hoping to get back to it more in the next couple of months, especially since I have lots of books to talk about. Because the end of the school year is at hand this week, I’ve… Read More