Voices in Education

The Boundlessness of Black Joy: Reshaping the Narrative

FEBRUARY 8, 2022

The Black experience in America is not a monolith. Traditionally, especially during Black History Month, we hear a silhouetted story of slavery, the civil rights era/Jim Crow, and countless advocates and allies that work tirelessly in the fight for racial equity. Shaping a new narrative is important to me; one that can be told in classrooms alongside the history. A narrative that highlights the love, successes, power, and flourishing lives of Black Americans today. One that showcases to our emerging leaders and learners that they...

The Boundlessness Of Black Joy 1200 X671

Voices in Education

The Boundlessness of Black Joy: Reshaping the Narrative

FEBRUARY 8, 2022

The Black experience in America is not a monolith. Traditionally, especially during Black History Month, we hear a silhouetted story of slavery, the civil rights era/Jim Crow, and countless advocates and allies that work tirelessly in the fight for racial equity. Shaping a new narrative is important to me; one that can be told in classrooms alongside the history. A narrative that highlights the love, successes, power, and flourishing lives of Black Americans today. One that showcases to our emerging leaders and learners that they...

Supporting Students Post Covid 1200 X671

Voices in Education

7 Ways Teachers & School Leaders Can Support Students in a (Post) Pandemic Year

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

Shorter days, back-to-school sales, and shopping for new school outfits are all telltale signs that summer is coming to a close, signally that the first day of school is around the corner. Unfortunately, this year, the usual back-to-school excitement usually felt by students (and parents) is overshadowed by emerging concerns about the Delta variant and what it will mean for the new school year.

Voices in Education

Tools to Be More Present With Students

MAY 16, 2021

When a child is upset and the adults in their life are able to emotionally meet them in their distress, the child is more easily able to co-regulate back to an optimal state. This is good in theory, but how do we accomplish this when we can’t always decipher when we are present or not?

Voices in Education

Unlearning: Kindness, Color Blindness and Racism

APRIL 29, 2021

Being an antiracist educator means allowing your classroom to be one where your kids see Black, Indigenous and other people of color and their cultures as beautiful and worthy. Overcorrection is necessary if we are going to create a more balanced and equitable society. Being an antiracist educator also means modeling and teaching your kids that standing up for what is right is more important than being “nice” or making sure others feel comfortable.

Voices in Education

Let's reflect, what do we mean when we say inclusion?

APRIL 15, 2021

America is often called a melting pot, but nothing says America more than a warm traditional oven-baked apple pie. First, you have your choice of delicious juicy red apples. Then there are the other ingredients; butter and flour. You mix everything and get ready to bake your pie. You place the ingredients into the pie tray, place the tray in the oven, and go off to read a book. Once it’s finally time to take the pie out of the oven, you do so and allow it to cool off. Once cooled, you eagerly cut yourself a slice and dig into the...

Voices in Education

Claiming Our Grief And Our Joy

MARCH 19, 2021

Last March 12th, teachers, students and families, and I were informed that the schools in our network would be closed for the next month because of rising cases of COVID-19 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Instead of meeting as a staff and circling up for a day of professional development that Friday, teammates scrambled to make copies and assemble learning packets for each one of our students. I recall grabbing a few items from my classroom, cleaning out some mugs, and casually telling other teachers, “see ya in a few weeks”...

Voices in Education

Unlearning: Who is the Main Character?

MARCH 11, 2021

As a Black girl, who grew up in the 90s, I count myself as fortunate to have come of age during the Black television and movie renaissance of the period. But despite this wave of primetime and box office projects featuring Black main characters, the vast majority of this content catered to older children, teens, and adults. As educators, we have the power to introduce our students to stories and characters that either enhance or harm their identity development, self-esteem, sense of empathy, and overall worldview.

Voices in Education

You Have an Anti-Racist Book List - Now What?

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

If you’ve been given a list of books about discrimination or race but are not so comfortable about discussing them, my first words of advice are to get comfortable first. That may seem easier said than done but it does involve some practice and preparation. Here are some tips from my experience.

Voices in Education

Supporting One Another After Crisis

JANUARY 10, 2021

We often bring current events into the classroom. Before doing so, it is crucial to research, learn, and process information, so you are clear on what you want to discuss and what you want students to take away from your time together. Here are ways we can support one another before we hold space and conversations with students, especially after moments of crisis.

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Voices in Education