Just a few days ago, I found out that I'll be teaching a section of 11th grade English starting...tomorrow! With a mid-year departure of a part-time teacher at our school, it made the most sense for me to pick up a section, rather than trying (and probably failing) to find a long-term sub for one... Continue Reading →
In a post from last summer about the need for reciprocity rather than hierarchy in schools, I used Sydney's idea of a "chill-archy" from Season 1 of the FX show The Bear, and I went on to muse that Season 2 could a great metaphor for school reform. Although I haven't seen truly sustained reciprocity... Continue Reading →
Working in public schools is hard work. Almost every day, headlines about the failures of public schools and the demoralization of teachers fill my news feed. In a time when teacher and substitute shortages mean that every day begins with the challenge of simply staffing each classroom, how can I or any of the other... Continue Reading →
This summer, colleagues in my district were offered a choice of four books that the district would purchase for us to read. I chose Street Data: A Next Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation by Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan, and on my own I purchased another of the choices, Rachetdemic: Reimagining Academic... Continue Reading →
As I'm diving into the world of blogging again, I've been thinking a lot about my past life as a blogger for the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Blog. This time around, I'm writing blog posts as a professional wellness practice: it's a way to flesh out my questions, frustrations, and ideas, and I hope... Continue Reading →
Every February, I fall into a slump with most of my other education colleagues, yet somehow it takes me off guard every time. This winter has been rough both personally and professionally, as it has for many people in this third COVID year, and between illnesses, surgeries, subbing, and the sluggish weather, it's easier to... Continue Reading →
Sometimes, as I get sucked into the daily-ness of a school schedule, I get a little (or more than a little) disilussioned with myself and my (in)ability to live up to my humanizing educational committments on a daily basis. How/Am I being critical, making change, transforming systems, or empowering voices that need to be heard... Continue Reading →
Kate Lechtenberg, PhD 