Your post moved me–I too tend to show emotion in class and try to stay human. And you’ve gotten me to Google “Chauvet cave paintings”–I can see why you have this response!

I agree! when you say: “We can all learn a lot from Sondra because as people and educators, we often need to be able to look inward and address/resolve things before we can truly help/teach others.” And I also appreciate that this is not an instant change but the work of a lifetime. I hope to be as willing, open, and honest to face whatever truths…[Read more]

I share your struggle, and also appreciate Sondra’s distinction. I tend to take things on and have similarly experienced burnout–and have also had to stop and take care of myself. This past March was one of those cases between my own children/family struggling, students struggling, and well, myself struggling. I can only do so much, and I have to…[Read more]

Thank you for sharing your experience. What I take away is your and your colleague’s ability to reflect–and to be willing to open dialogue without needing to be perfect–and how important this is. The dinner conversation had with Anna and Luis comes to mind. Obviously we can’t read their minds, but it seems they engage in conversation more than…[Read more]

That is a beautiful visual reflection <3

I agree that “often as humans we want to drill down to who are ‘the bad and good guys’ and yet we fail to appreciate the complexity, complacency, and complicity that are woven in each situation.” I wonder if morally, this is easier–but it also doesn’t leave as much room for rich discussion or exp…[Read more]

Eileen, I wanted to echo your comment, “how precious interactions with people from other cultures is. I pray that we will be able to continue to maintain these types of interactions, from which true friendships are built.” Yes! And I feel increasingly each year how certain public school requirements attempt to limit these types of interactions…[Read more]

Hi Heather? Are there readings that you’d recommend around white privilege? Especially targeted at teachers?

I echo Mary Dea’s comment–and I am grateful for and would love to hear more about this: “helping kids navigate their own stories and experiences through stories of and from the Holocaust was empowering and important.”

I too resonate with the missing students and colleagues. I also taught high school sophomores/seniors, then went to 7th grade for 3 years, and am back to teaching Freshman/juniors, and think I share your sentiments exactly! I do miss 7th graders willingness to try something new too and on occasion, their brutal honesty…well, you get the latter…[Read more]