If you want to teach students to read media critically, to seek out reliable resources and multiple perspectives and support them as they process their emotions in response to that, that is important work that must be done with care and such deliberate intentions. That does NOT happen in a debate.

We hope you’ll join us in the work of building toolkits that help us create LGBTQ-affirming schools. Register today to secure your spot! 2/2 #IREL25

Join us virtually on Saturday, September 27th. Find more information at theirel.org.

Might I add that I’m terrified of what this coming year will bring.

I’m so grateful to @triciaebarvia.bsky.social and @sonjacherrypaul.bsky.social and #IREL for reminding me of the power of Dr. Love’s work.

So when we can’t do what used to work, we find new ways to do the work. And for me that is to work on developing my own “liberatory consciousness” and helping those around me to do the same.

While so much seems to be moving further and further away from feeling possible to do, we can still do this. Our goal in this PD is to find ways to continue to create inclusive spaces while feeling as if our hands are tied in regards to so many of the tools we used to do.

As I prepare for this work, it feels hopefully that this is one thing that cannot be regulated away from us. The ability to listen to the stories of young people in order to grow our empathy and understanding.

I can only hope that as more and more districts move away from this kind of powerful writing instruction, we can continue to talk about what we are losing in the hopes that one day we can get it back.

I am incredibly grateful to the folks at @kqednews.kqed.org and @mindshift-kqed.bsky.social for giving me a chance to share some of the work and writing that we did with our fifth graders this year.

www.kqed.org/mindshift/65...

But. What we can do is continue to talk about the work that is possible and what we gain when we reimagine what literacy instruction can look like.

Next year, we will no longer be teaching that curriculum. Instead we will be teaching out of a workbook and teaching with a scripted curriculum. I believe that what we are losing is far more significant than what will be gained. And I feel mostly powerless to change any of it.

and helps to create the kinds of human beings who can heal this world we are living in.