Lisa, you are so lucky that you found a homeplace in the most important of places: at home, with your mother. So many of us, myself included, got lost in the shuffle of big families and family crises. Sounds like your mom understood you, encouraged you, loved and cared for you. You got all the essentials Bettina Love talked about. With that…[Read more]

Ann, you may have found your voice in your 40’s but you are helping hundreds of young people find theirs in their tender teens. Don’t you wish you had a teacher like you when you were in your teens? I do! I would have pounced on the opportunity to do spoken word as a 17 year old. I would pounce on it now too come to think of it.

Bringing out…[Read more]

Was just reading about Critical Race theory in The NY Times today and how the 1619 Project is being banned in some schools. This is disheartening as I thought The NY Times Magazine featuring the project was one of the best things the Times ever did. It is a must read to educate oneself. Though today’s story was a downer, I am uplifted by your…[Read more]

Leslie, I’m amazing that you even went into teaching given your dismal history in school.
Perhaps we save ourselves by saving others. We know what it is like to be invisible and so we work to see our students. I went to a public high school in NYC with 4,000 students. I cut out too a lot, but was still able to get good grades. There’s little…[Read more]

Momodou, Your story is so sad. I am sorry your language, your history, your way of life, your people, etc. were ripped from you in school. It almost feels violent, doesn’t it? Thank goodness for parents who prevailed for awhile and classmates who could secretly share themselves in letters. These are small acts that are big, aren’t they?…[Read more]

Leslie and Staci, I see you making such a difference in the lives of your students. Just imagine what Salome’s world would have been like had she not met you Staci. I loved listening to her unpolished, sweet voice. We should be singing more in classrooms! It lights up a different part of our brain and must make us kinder, gentler.

So be…[Read more]

Mary, It breaks my heart to read your post. Imagine all the young people suffering the trauma you suffered RIGHT NOW IN PLACES OF EDUCATION where children are supposed to feel safe. I wonder if all the talk and awareness about bullying is having an effect in classrooms today.
I watch the children play in the courtyard of my building and am…[Read more]

Ashley, You are fortunate that you had teachers and adults in your young life who knew and understood your thirst for education. I went to large public schools in NYC and have very few memories of teachers who took the time to make me feel special. Despite that, I worked hard to be a good student and get good grades but have few memories of…[Read more]