Cait O’Connor
@justteachingela.bsky.social
8th grade ELA teacher, 2023 Outstanding Middle Level Educator, mental health peer, Buddhist, avid reader, lover of iced tea, alternative education enthusiast, social justice advocate, fat studies scholar, fiercely pro-student.
Pinned
Knowledge that doesn’t help you materially transform your life and the lives of those around you for the better is just information.
Are you helping learners access knowledge, or giving them information?
Are you helping learners access knowledge, or giving them information?
STOP PARTICIPATING IN PICTURE DAY.
February 8, 2026 at 6:39 PM
STOP PARTICIPATING IN PICTURE DAY.
See yall in two weeks for the launch of my new book! There’s still time to register (for free!)
February 7, 2026 at 8:30 PM
See yall in two weeks for the launch of my new book! There’s still time to register (for free!)
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
Anne Frank died of typhus at Bergen-Belsen
ICE now confirming that there is a measles outbreak at the Texas concentration camp where young Liam was held.
February 2, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Anne Frank died of typhus at Bergen-Belsen
Preorders for my book DITCHING WEIGHT STIGMA AND ANTI FAT BIAS AT SCHOOL begin on February 20!
Available where books are sold on March 19.
Does your school want to do a book club or PD on size diversity, equity and weight stigma? Message or email me!
caitoconnorteach@gmail.com
Available where books are sold on March 19.
Does your school want to do a book club or PD on size diversity, equity and weight stigma? Message or email me!
caitoconnorteach@gmail.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
Today marks 62 years since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
August 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Today marks 62 years since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Preorders for my book DITCHING WEIGHT STIGMA AND ANTI FAT BIAS AT SCHOOL begin on February 20!
Available where books are sold on March 19.
Does your school want to do a book club or PD on size diversity, equity and weight stigma? Message or email me!
caitoconnorteach@gmail.com
Available where books are sold on March 19.
Does your school want to do a book club or PD on size diversity, equity and weight stigma? Message or email me!
caitoconnorteach@gmail.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Preorders for my book DITCHING WEIGHT STIGMA AND ANTI FAT BIAS AT SCHOOL begin on February 20!
Available where books are sold on March 19.
Does your school want to do a book club or PD on size diversity, equity and weight stigma? Message or email me!
caitoconnorteach@gmail.com
Available where books are sold on March 19.
Does your school want to do a book club or PD on size diversity, equity and weight stigma? Message or email me!
caitoconnorteach@gmail.com
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
Audre Lorde, in a 1989 commencement address, said, "Remember this, despair is a tool of your enemies. That rumor, 'You can’t fight City Hall,' is circulated by City Hall. Facing the realities of our lives gives us the motivation for action, it gives us the power to change. You are not powerless."
February 1, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Audre Lorde, in a 1989 commencement address, said, "Remember this, despair is a tool of your enemies. That rumor, 'You can’t fight City Hall,' is circulated by City Hall. Facing the realities of our lives gives us the motivation for action, it gives us the power to change. You are not powerless."
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Judge orders US to release father and 5-year-old taken into custody during Minnesota immigration crackdown.
January 31, 2026 at 8:29 PM
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Judge orders US to release father and 5-year-old taken into custody during Minnesota immigration crackdown.
Sign up today!
Join us for my VIRTUAL BOOK LAUNCH on Friday, February 20 at 6pm Eastern! There will be giveaways and other fun stuff!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
January 25, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Sign up today!
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
This is the path of the train tracks to Treblinka, where my wheelchair-bound great grandfather was murdered, shot in the back of the head and dumped in a pit.
ICE agents executed Alex Pretti in a similar way with similar hate in their hearts.
The U.S. is on a scary track that leads to such tracks.
ICE agents executed Alex Pretti in a similar way with similar hate in their hearts.
The U.S. is on a scary track that leads to such tracks.
January 25, 2026 at 4:49 PM
This is the path of the train tracks to Treblinka, where my wheelchair-bound great grandfather was murdered, shot in the back of the head and dumped in a pit.
ICE agents executed Alex Pretti in a similar way with similar hate in their hearts.
The U.S. is on a scary track that leads to such tracks.
ICE agents executed Alex Pretti in a similar way with similar hate in their hearts.
The U.S. is on a scary track that leads to such tracks.
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 PM
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
January 25, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
Join us for my VIRTUAL BOOK LAUNCH on Friday, February 20 at 6pm Eastern! There will be giveaways and other fun stuff!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
January 22, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
Join us for my VIRTUAL BOOK LAUNCH on Friday, February 20 at 6pm Eastern! There will be giveaways and other fun stuff!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
January 17, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Join us for my VIRTUAL BOOK LAUNCH on Friday, February 20 at 6pm Eastern! There will be giveaways and other fun stuff!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
MLK was only 39 when he was killed. Growing up, I thought that was old. But I’m 43 now and I’m stunned by the burden he shouldered at such a young age. I’m also a lot more aware of how hard it is, at any age, to carry the hopes and dreams of an oppressed people on your shoulders, as so many do.
January 19, 2026 at 2:55 PM
MLK was only 39 when he was killed. Growing up, I thought that was old. But I’m 43 now and I’m stunned by the burden he shouldered at such a young age. I’m also a lot more aware of how hard it is, at any age, to carry the hopes and dreams of an oppressed people on your shoulders, as so many do.
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
#tdih 1968 When asked at White House luncheon why young people are angry, Eartha Kitt said, because "You send best of this country off to be shot and maimed."
In retaliation for her honesty, gov't ruined her U.S. career for 10 years & CIA tracked her.
See ⬇️ 🧵
www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/ea...
In retaliation for her honesty, gov't ruined her U.S. career for 10 years & CIA tracked her.
See ⬇️ 🧵
www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/ea...
Jan. 18, 1968: Eartha Kitt Spoke Truth at the White House
When asked at a White House luncheon about “juvenile delinquency,” Eartha Kitt responded by talking about the root causes of rebellion, including the Vietnam War and the draft.
www.zinnedproject.org
January 18, 2026 at 1:40 PM
#tdih 1968 When asked at White House luncheon why young people are angry, Eartha Kitt said, because "You send best of this country off to be shot and maimed."
In retaliation for her honesty, gov't ruined her U.S. career for 10 years & CIA tracked her.
See ⬇️ 🧵
www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/ea...
In retaliation for her honesty, gov't ruined her U.S. career for 10 years & CIA tracked her.
See ⬇️ 🧵
www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/ea...
2026 reads thread:
1: A Burning, by Megha Majumdar
1: A Burning, by Megha Majumdar
January 17, 2026 at 10:19 PM
2026 reads thread:
1: A Burning, by Megha Majumdar
1: A Burning, by Megha Majumdar
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
"The power of tyranny is overestimated (not in the short run, but in the long run), and can be overcome by the unity and the determination of apparently powerless people." -- @zinndigital.bsky.social in @theprogressivemag.bsky.social by @edgeofsports.bsky.social ⬇️
progressive.org/magazine/the...
progressive.org/magazine/the...
The People’s Historian
We would do well to remember the words of Howard Zinn today.
progressive.org
January 17, 2026 at 1:50 PM
"The power of tyranny is overestimated (not in the short run, but in the long run), and can be overcome by the unity and the determination of apparently powerless people." -- @zinndigital.bsky.social in @theprogressivemag.bsky.social by @edgeofsports.bsky.social ⬇️
progressive.org/magazine/the...
progressive.org/magazine/the...
Affirmation without information doesn’t help us teach.
Students want you to tell them their work is good. But they need to know why. Try instead:
“You explain your evidence really clearly here.”
“The way you phrased this sentence just sounds really beautiful.”
Students want you to tell them their work is good. But they need to know why. Try instead:
“You explain your evidence really clearly here.”
“The way you phrased this sentence just sounds really beautiful.”
January 17, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Affirmation without information doesn’t help us teach.
Students want you to tell them their work is good. But they need to know why. Try instead:
“You explain your evidence really clearly here.”
“The way you phrased this sentence just sounds really beautiful.”
Students want you to tell them their work is good. But they need to know why. Try instead:
“You explain your evidence really clearly here.”
“The way you phrased this sentence just sounds really beautiful.”
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
Join us for my VIRTUAL BOOK LAUNCH on Friday, February 20 at 6pm Eastern! There will be giveaways and other fun stuff!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
January 17, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Join us for my VIRTUAL BOOK LAUNCH on Friday, February 20 at 6pm Eastern! There will be giveaways and other fun stuff!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
Preorders begin February 20, and the release date is in March. So excited to bring this project into the world!
If you teach a world literature class, I strongggggly recommend A Burning by Megha Majumdar.
January 11, 2026 at 2:58 PM
If you teach a world literature class, I strongggggly recommend A Burning by Megha Majumdar.
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
Yes, "remember your why" is pretty useless ----The Three Worst Words You Can Say to a Teacher www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
The Three Worst Words You Can Say to a Teacher (Opinion)
I’m sick of hearing the same patronizing advice from administrators and professional development trainers.
www.edweek.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Yes, "remember your why" is pretty useless ----The Three Worst Words You Can Say to a Teacher www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
Reposted by Cait O’Connor
