Christine Esposito
@msespo.bsky.social
Gifted specialist working with and for all students. VA Gilder-Lehrman TOY '09. Co-conspirator who still gets it wrong. I'm the annoying one asking hard questions. she/her
If my mouth doesn't say it, my face definitely will.
https://msespo.substack.com
If my mouth doesn't say it, my face definitely will.
https://msespo.substack.com
This right here. How we are responding to this crisis is a fucking disaster.
Skilled teachers are being forced to teach from a box written by people who do not know the kids in front of that teacher & more than likely written by people who do not look like those kids nor understand their talents.
Skilled teachers are being forced to teach from a box written by people who do not know the kids in front of that teacher & more than likely written by people who do not look like those kids nor understand their talents.
It is actually so insane that two sides on offer are “old guy who says we read via vibes” and “moral panic fueled policies advocating for state mandated adoption of boxed curricula based on a podcast people listened to once.” The crisis is a crisis. How we respond to the crisis is also a crisis.
November 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM
This right here. How we are responding to this crisis is a fucking disaster.
Skilled teachers are being forced to teach from a box written by people who do not know the kids in front of that teacher & more than likely written by people who do not look like those kids nor understand their talents.
Skilled teachers are being forced to teach from a box written by people who do not know the kids in front of that teacher & more than likely written by people who do not look like those kids nor understand their talents.
Hey all! Probably not surprising, but the number of students asking for snacks throughout the day has increased substantially. If you are able, please consider donating some snacks to keep our students focused on learning rather than being hungry.
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Check out my list on Amazon
www.amazon.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Hey all! Probably not surprising, but the number of students asking for snacks throughout the day has increased substantially. If you are able, please consider donating some snacks to keep our students focused on learning rather than being hungry.
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Today is the first drop-off duty in below freezing temperatures. Maybe I should have brought in the big coat.
Well. A heavy sweater and a scarf will have to do.
Well. A heavy sweater and a scarf will have to do.
November 11, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Today is the first drop-off duty in below freezing temperatures. Maybe I should have brought in the big coat.
Well. A heavy sweater and a scarf will have to do.
Well. A heavy sweater and a scarf will have to do.
Costco is my favorite place to shop.
that's in part because costco feels so old fashioned. the approach generally seems to be, "will this provide additional value to our customers?"
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Costco is my favorite place to shop.
This part. Thinking about the inspiring speech made by our superintendent at the opening convocation and all of the policies put in place by division admin that make it almost impossible to do anything different.
We’re adding novels but being forced to keep a lot of crappy stuff.
We’re adding novels but being forced to keep a lot of crappy stuff.
To frame this another way: there are a lot of decision-makers sounding the alarm about a "student reading crisis" while implementing policies in their districts and schools that are actively removing books from the hands of students
(And that's BEFORE we talk about the censorship going on, too)
(And that's BEFORE we talk about the censorship going on, too)
November 8, 2025 at 5:27 PM
This part. Thinking about the inspiring speech made by our superintendent at the opening convocation and all of the policies put in place by division admin that make it almost impossible to do anything different.
We’re adding novels but being forced to keep a lot of crappy stuff.
We’re adding novels but being forced to keep a lot of crappy stuff.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
I see James Watson has died.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I see James Watson has died.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
It’s International Day. The best day of the year. I just had the best baklava of my whole life.
I love seeing kids get to celebrate who they are and in many cases, the lives they had to leave behind.
I love seeing kids get to celebrate who they are and in many cases, the lives they had to leave behind.
November 7, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It’s International Day. The best day of the year. I just had the best baklava of my whole life.
I love seeing kids get to celebrate who they are and in many cases, the lives they had to leave behind.
I love seeing kids get to celebrate who they are and in many cases, the lives they had to leave behind.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
On top of refusing to fully fund SNAP during the shutdown, the Trump regime has:
-Cut $1 billion from USDA programs supporting food banks
-Enacted tariffs that have caused food prices to rise
-Made the largest cut to SNAP in history
-Canceled the annual food security survey
Shameful.
-Cut $1 billion from USDA programs supporting food banks
-Enacted tariffs that have caused food prices to rise
-Made the largest cut to SNAP in history
-Canceled the annual food security survey
Shameful.
November 6, 2025 at 11:31 PM
On top of refusing to fully fund SNAP during the shutdown, the Trump regime has:
-Cut $1 billion from USDA programs supporting food banks
-Enacted tariffs that have caused food prices to rise
-Made the largest cut to SNAP in history
-Canceled the annual food security survey
Shameful.
-Cut $1 billion from USDA programs supporting food banks
-Enacted tariffs that have caused food prices to rise
-Made the largest cut to SNAP in history
-Canceled the annual food security survey
Shameful.
We've looked at American Gothic by Wood & Parks. Analyzed three version of "I Hear America Singing." I then asked them: What do kids see that adults miss at school.
Just...WOW. Some of these answers are giving me chills.
Just...WOW. Some of these answers are giving me chills.
November 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
We've looked at American Gothic by Wood & Parks. Analyzed three version of "I Hear America Singing." I then asked them: What do kids see that adults miss at school.
Just...WOW. Some of these answers are giving me chills.
Just...WOW. Some of these answers are giving me chills.
Virginia with a Democratic sweep. The House went from a 2-vote Dem majority to a predicted 64-36 supermajority. I so hope this is a sign of things to come for the midterms and the 2028 election.
November 5, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Virginia with a Democratic sweep. The House went from a 2-vote Dem majority to a predicted 64-36 supermajority. I so hope this is a sign of things to come for the midterms and the 2028 election.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
I am thrilled by Spanberger’s win (and so many wins across Virginia). I am also grateful for this reminder. We have so much work to do.
November 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
I am thrilled by Spanberger’s win (and so many wins across Virginia). I am also grateful for this reminder. We have so much work to do.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
I'm still not comprehending why some people want other people in this country to not have access to food and eat
Am I missing something???
Am I missing something???
November 4, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I'm still not comprehending why some people want other people in this country to not have access to food and eat
Am I missing something???
Am I missing something???
Last week's question for my group: What is America?
Favorite answer so far: America is where I am from. America is the home of the free but maybe America could lock in a little bit when it comes to electing presidents because who elected that demented old man?
Favorite answer so far: America is where I am from. America is the home of the free but maybe America could lock in a little bit when it comes to electing presidents because who elected that demented old man?
November 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Last week's question for my group: What is America?
Favorite answer so far: America is where I am from. America is the home of the free but maybe America could lock in a little bit when it comes to electing presidents because who elected that demented old man?
Favorite answer so far: America is where I am from. America is the home of the free but maybe America could lock in a little bit when it comes to electing presidents because who elected that demented old man?
I've voted and hope to live in a state with an incoming blue governor by this time tomorrow. She wouldn't have been my first, second, or probably even third choice, but I'll take it.
Most excited for the Lt. Governor. Hoping she'll be governor 4 (very long) years from now.
Most excited for the Lt. Governor. Hoping she'll be governor 4 (very long) years from now.
November 4, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I've voted and hope to live in a state with an incoming blue governor by this time tomorrow. She wouldn't have been my first, second, or probably even third choice, but I'll take it.
Most excited for the Lt. Governor. Hoping she'll be governor 4 (very long) years from now.
Most excited for the Lt. Governor. Hoping she'll be governor 4 (very long) years from now.
I'm in charge of my school's entries for the K-12 literary & art anthology the division puts out every year. At the start of school I schedule the monthly reminders to teachers for the first Monday of the month.
I feel accomplished when I see that the email went out & I'd forgotten all about it.
I feel accomplished when I see that the email went out & I'd forgotten all about it.
November 4, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I'm in charge of my school's entries for the K-12 literary & art anthology the division puts out every year. At the start of school I schedule the monthly reminders to teachers for the first Monday of the month.
I feel accomplished when I see that the email went out & I'd forgotten all about it.
I feel accomplished when I see that the email went out & I'd forgotten all about it.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
Follow-up from UVA:
November 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Follow-up from UVA:
Reposted by Christine Esposito
Per @UVASafety on X and emergency text alert:
"UVA Emergency Alert: ACTIVE ATTACKER with a gun reported in area of Shannon Library 160 McCormick Road. RUN HIDE FIGHT"
"UVA Emergency Alert: ACTIVE ATTACKER with a gun reported in area of Shannon Library 160 McCormick Road. RUN HIDE FIGHT"
November 3, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Per @UVASafety on X and emergency text alert:
"UVA Emergency Alert: ACTIVE ATTACKER with a gun reported in area of Shannon Library 160 McCormick Road. RUN HIDE FIGHT"
"UVA Emergency Alert: ACTIVE ATTACKER with a gun reported in area of Shannon Library 160 McCormick Road. RUN HIDE FIGHT"
Students will be comparing three poems: Whitman's 'I Hear America Singing," Hughes' "I, Too," & Alvarez's "I, Too Sing."
They're going to finish the following sentences:
America is...because..., America is...but..., America is...so...
I need some adjectives to throw their way.
They're going to finish the following sentences:
America is...because..., America is...but..., America is...so...
I need some adjectives to throw their way.
October 31, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Students will be comparing three poems: Whitman's 'I Hear America Singing," Hughes' "I, Too," & Alvarez's "I, Too Sing."
They're going to finish the following sentences:
America is...because..., America is...but..., America is...so...
I need some adjectives to throw their way.
They're going to finish the following sentences:
America is...because..., America is...but..., America is...so...
I need some adjectives to throw their way.
Things I learned today: Pimple patches are incredibly distracting for me.
It's dress like a student day and I have no idea how they manage to focus with these things on their faces. 😂
It's dress like a student day and I have no idea how they manage to focus with these things on their faces. 😂
October 30, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Things I learned today: Pimple patches are incredibly distracting for me.
It's dress like a student day and I have no idea how they manage to focus with these things on their faces. 😂
It's dress like a student day and I have no idea how they manage to focus with these things on their faces. 😂
Reposted by Christine Esposito
Schools and districts are not equipped to deal with the dysregulation students are going to experience due to excessive hunger and familial stress over food insecurity.
We’re just not in any way prepared.
We’re just not in any way prepared.
October 29, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Schools and districts are not equipped to deal with the dysregulation students are going to experience due to excessive hunger and familial stress over food insecurity.
We’re just not in any way prepared.
We’re just not in any way prepared.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
I have yet to see a use case for AI in the classroom that wouldn't also be addressed by smaller class sizes & more paid prep time for teachers.
October 28, 2025 at 2:23 PM
I have yet to see a use case for AI in the classroom that wouldn't also be addressed by smaller class sizes & more paid prep time for teachers.
We're almost halfway there! So far each classroom will get 2 copies of Coach for students to read! Please donate or share.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Once again, the magic that is Ghost by Jason Reynolds is taking hold at Walker. The last book in the series came out last week. It’s in hard copy, so a bigger lift. Please consider donating a copy. 25 copies would give each classroom 5 copies for students to share. www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Check out my list on Amazon
www.amazon.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:38 PM
We're almost halfway there! So far each classroom will get 2 copies of Coach for students to read! Please donate or share.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Reposted by Christine Esposito
Take a lesson from the Black Panthers who understood how to feed people
If I were running the DNC, there would be Democratic Party sponsored food relief banks across the country right now that specifically welcomed anyone regardless of party affiliation.
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
October 26, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Take a lesson from the Black Panthers who understood how to feed people
You know what one of my ideal jobs would be at a school? Professional Hype Coach. Your job would be to find kids who struggle in school and jump on their every success, no matter how small and then coach them in ways to build on that success.
It works. It's just really time-and-money intensive.
It works. It's just really time-and-money intensive.
October 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
You know what one of my ideal jobs would be at a school? Professional Hype Coach. Your job would be to find kids who struggle in school and jump on their every success, no matter how small and then coach them in ways to build on that success.
It works. It's just really time-and-money intensive.
It works. It's just really time-and-money intensive.
Once again, the magic that is Ghost by Jason Reynolds is taking hold at Walker. The last book in the series came out last week. It’s in hard copy, so a bigger lift. Please consider donating a copy. 25 copies would give each classroom 5 copies for students to share. www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Check out my list on Amazon
www.amazon.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Once again, the magic that is Ghost by Jason Reynolds is taking hold at Walker. The last book in the series came out last week. It’s in hard copy, so a bigger lift. Please consider donating a copy. 25 copies would give each classroom 5 copies for students to share. www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...