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
My kids were early middle school, but we did a biography unit that culminated in a museum. They picked a person they wanted to research. They came up w/a theme for the museum, they created the artifacts, wrote the PR materials, the didactic panels. You name it, they were in charge of it.
November 12, 2025 at 1:50 AM
My kids were early middle school, but we did a biography unit that culminated in a museum. They picked a person they wanted to research. They came up w/a theme for the museum, they created the artifacts, wrote the PR materials, the didactic panels. You name it, they were in charge of it.
One thing I love about fall is the random hot air balloon spotting during morning car line duty. It was a chilly one!
October 24, 2025 at 1:34 PM
One thing I love about fall is the random hot air balloon spotting during morning car line duty. It was a chilly one!
If I'm wrong, I don't want to be right.
October 13, 2025 at 4:04 PM
If I'm wrong, I don't want to be right.
While "What is art" is the entry point, we're going to do a bit of a deep dive on Gordon Parks and then into the lives of other artists who have shaped society by bringing the hidden into the light.
I've been researching all afternoon and have found a treasure trove of information, but this...
I've been researching all afternoon and have found a treasure trove of information, but this...
October 12, 2025 at 6:13 PM
While "What is art" is the entry point, we're going to do a bit of a deep dive on Gordon Parks and then into the lives of other artists who have shaped society by bringing the hidden into the light.
I've been researching all afternoon and have found a treasure trove of information, but this...
I've been researching all afternoon and have found a treasure trove of information, but this...
I work in a division that has radically revamped our gifted program. It's not perfect by any means, but we've expanded access to include most students in our buildings.
My biggest gripe abt our changes is that we're trying to fit into the regular curriculum rather than giving them something more.
My biggest gripe abt our changes is that we're trying to fit into the regular curriculum rather than giving them something more.
October 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I work in a division that has radically revamped our gifted program. It's not perfect by any means, but we've expanded access to include most students in our buildings.
My biggest gripe abt our changes is that we're trying to fit into the regular curriculum rather than giving them something more.
My biggest gripe abt our changes is that we're trying to fit into the regular curriculum rather than giving them something more.
I know I’m painfully late to this party, but the number of times I yelled near the end of this book was not small.
Immediately starting the next.
Immediately starting the next.
September 27, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I know I’m painfully late to this party, but the number of times I yelled near the end of this book was not small.
Immediately starting the next.
Immediately starting the next.
Waded in. Not on her post but matching her petty energy. 😂
September 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Waded in. Not on her post but matching her petty energy. 😂
Admittedly. I am the most sometimey substacker in the history of substackers, but I've been thinking about @heymrsbond.com's post since yesterday.
We're losing kids & teachers bc of those boxed curricula that are simply not high quality instructional materials.
msespo.substack.com/p/to-teach-o...
We're losing kids & teachers bc of those boxed curricula that are simply not high quality instructional materials.
msespo.substack.com/p/to-teach-o...
September 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Admittedly. I am the most sometimey substacker in the history of substackers, but I've been thinking about @heymrsbond.com's post since yesterday.
We're losing kids & teachers bc of those boxed curricula that are simply not high quality instructional materials.
msespo.substack.com/p/to-teach-o...
We're losing kids & teachers bc of those boxed curricula that are simply not high quality instructional materials.
msespo.substack.com/p/to-teach-o...
Just started "Rebuilding Students' Learning Power" by Zaretta Hammond. Despite my determination to take the weekend off, I may read this book instead.
August 29, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Just started "Rebuilding Students' Learning Power" by Zaretta Hammond. Despite my determination to take the weekend off, I may read this book instead.
This is the skeleton of the project I want to do this year. The pieces are based on @gholdym.bsky.social’s work. I hope I’ve done it justice on my first draft.
Also important to note that I’m a gifted specialist who works w/all kids & has more freedom than a classroom teacher.
Also important to note that I’m a gifted specialist who works w/all kids & has more freedom than a classroom teacher.
August 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This is the skeleton of the project I want to do this year. The pieces are based on @gholdym.bsky.social’s work. I hope I’ve done it justice on my first draft.
Also important to note that I’m a gifted specialist who works w/all kids & has more freedom than a classroom teacher.
Also important to note that I’m a gifted specialist who works w/all kids & has more freedom than a classroom teacher.
It’s one thing to call something out, but people also need to want to change.
That’s the hardest part. So much heavy lifting is required by people who will have to examine how they think about students and school.
That’s the hardest part. So much heavy lifting is required by people who will have to examine how they think about students and school.
August 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It’s one thing to call something out, but people also need to want to change.
That’s the hardest part. So much heavy lifting is required by people who will have to examine how they think about students and school.
That’s the hardest part. So much heavy lifting is required by people who will have to examine how they think about students and school.
When your superintendent is sharing some hard truths. Here’s hoping this leads to real and actual change.
August 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
When your superintendent is sharing some hard truths. Here’s hoping this leads to real and actual change.
This! Writing is about so much more than the output. I LOVE giving students a notebook in which to reflect. I'm spearheading a push with the 6th grade ELA team this year to have a writing notebook, which would include reflection on learning.
I love everything about this.
I love everything about this.
August 4, 2025 at 12:34 AM
This! Writing is about so much more than the output. I LOVE giving students a notebook in which to reflect. I'm spearheading a push with the 6th grade ELA team this year to have a writing notebook, which would include reflection on learning.
I love everything about this.
I love everything about this.
It’s back to school time, baby. I know this is ridiculous, but every year this memory reminds me how much I love teaching middle school.
August 3, 2025 at 7:16 PM
It’s back to school time, baby. I know this is ridiculous, but every year this memory reminds me how much I love teaching middle school.
Great news: We’re getting new. Chromebooks this year.
Less great news: I’m going to need new stickers.
Open to suggestions and links, especially to women or Black-owned places.
Less great news: I’m going to need new stickers.
Open to suggestions and links, especially to women or Black-owned places.
July 30, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Great news: We’re getting new. Chromebooks this year.
Less great news: I’m going to need new stickers.
Open to suggestions and links, especially to women or Black-owned places.
Less great news: I’m going to need new stickers.
Open to suggestions and links, especially to women or Black-owned places.
This pic from '14 popped up on my phone today. I love to argue w/kids about books I hate - mostly The Giver & talking animals. Peter meets Lois Lowry & TELLS her how much I hate The Giver. She was great when we tweeted abt it later.
That connection is a thing we miss when kids don't read books.
That connection is a thing we miss when kids don't read books.
July 20, 2025 at 11:48 PM
This pic from '14 popped up on my phone today. I love to argue w/kids about books I hate - mostly The Giver & talking animals. Peter meets Lois Lowry & TELLS her how much I hate The Giver. She was great when we tweeted abt it later.
That connection is a thing we miss when kids don't read books.
That connection is a thing we miss when kids don't read books.
Just finished. By far the best teacher book I’ve read this year. The focus is absolutely writing, but if you want to help kids set goals & meet them, this is your book.
I can’t wait to implement these strategies. I hope @valeriebolling.bsky.social’s goals include another book!
I can’t wait to implement these strategies. I hope @valeriebolling.bsky.social’s goals include another book!
July 17, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Just finished. By far the best teacher book I’ve read this year. The focus is absolutely writing, but if you want to help kids set goals & meet them, this is your book.
I can’t wait to implement these strategies. I hope @valeriebolling.bsky.social’s goals include another book!
I can’t wait to implement these strategies. I hope @valeriebolling.bsky.social’s goals include another book!
Super excited to get started reading this.
We’re rolling out a new initiative that involves goal setting and I’m working on a PD session on differentiating writing. I feel like this is going to a great addition to my library. Thanks @valeriebolling.bsky.social for sharing your genius!
We’re rolling out a new initiative that involves goal setting and I’m working on a PD session on differentiating writing. I feel like this is going to a great addition to my library. Thanks @valeriebolling.bsky.social for sharing your genius!
July 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Super excited to get started reading this.
We’re rolling out a new initiative that involves goal setting and I’m working on a PD session on differentiating writing. I feel like this is going to a great addition to my library. Thanks @valeriebolling.bsky.social for sharing your genius!
We’re rolling out a new initiative that involves goal setting and I’m working on a PD session on differentiating writing. I feel like this is going to a great addition to my library. Thanks @valeriebolling.bsky.social for sharing your genius!
I have a wish list for snacks & personal care items. I keep these items (& others, I now have a second organizer) on my desk so that kids can come in, grab what they need & head back to class without a fuss or having to ask awkward questions.
Any help is appreciated.
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Any help is appreciated.
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
July 10, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I have a wish list for snacks & personal care items. I keep these items (& others, I now have a second organizer) on my desk so that kids can come in, grab what they need & head back to class without a fuss or having to ask awkward questions.
Any help is appreciated.
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Any help is appreciated.
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Putting together a wish list for my office lazy susan. My office sits in the middle of the building so it's easy for kids to pop in, get what they need & go back to class. Since this picture was taken, I've added a 2nd lazy susan that includes deodorant & edge control.
Any additional suggestions?
Any additional suggestions?
July 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Putting together a wish list for my office lazy susan. My office sits in the middle of the building so it's easy for kids to pop in, get what they need & go back to class. Since this picture was taken, I've added a 2nd lazy susan that includes deodorant & edge control.
Any additional suggestions?
Any additional suggestions?
One of the biggest issues in my school is that we overscaffold assignments for students.
The problem is that they never go away. Rather than scaffolds they become modifications. For some students, that’s exactly right. For many others, we’re robbing them of a chance to struggle and to learn.
The problem is that they never go away. Rather than scaffolds they become modifications. For some students, that’s exactly right. For many others, we’re robbing them of a chance to struggle and to learn.
July 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
One of the biggest issues in my school is that we overscaffold assignments for students.
The problem is that they never go away. Rather than scaffolds they become modifications. For some students, that’s exactly right. For many others, we’re robbing them of a chance to struggle and to learn.
The problem is that they never go away. Rather than scaffolds they become modifications. For some students, that’s exactly right. For many others, we’re robbing them of a chance to struggle and to learn.
Today in London: Strawberries covered in Belgian chocolate from Borough Market. Tower of London poppy display through a hole in the 2,000 year old London Wall. St. Dunstan in the East: A church that was bombed during the Blitz. It was not rebuilt but is now a garden in the City.
June 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Today in London: Strawberries covered in Belgian chocolate from Borough Market. Tower of London poppy display through a hole in the 2,000 year old London Wall. St. Dunstan in the East: A church that was bombed during the Blitz. It was not rebuilt but is now a garden in the City.