Jess
@wordcraftwithjess.bsky.social
ELA Teacher | Storytelling Creatrix & Word Weaver 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ally
Guiding young minds in the art of words, stories, & self-expression. Believer in the magic of language & the power of stories. ✨📚 #TeachWithMagic #Storytelling #ELA
Guiding young minds in the art of words, stories, & self-expression. Believer in the magic of language & the power of stories. ✨📚 #TeachWithMagic #Storytelling #ELA
November offers a unique chance to find sacred space, stillness, and clarity. Check out my latest Substack, 'Seeking Peace in the In-Between,' and explore how to cultivate these moments amidst the seasonal transitions and mid-semester point in the classroom.
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
Seeking Peace in the In-Between
Finding sacred space, stillness, and clarity in November’s half-light.
open.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
November offers a unique chance to find sacred space, stillness, and clarity. Check out my latest Substack, 'Seeking Peace in the In-Between,' and explore how to cultivate these moments amidst the seasonal transitions and mid-semester point in the classroom.
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
I am to grateful (and privileged) to work in a district who sees and values its students, and a district who stands firm in these beliefs.
Today I spent the day refining my allyship knowledge and skills, and planning how I will host my school’s first middle school GSA.
Today I spent the day refining my allyship knowledge and skills, and planning how I will host my school’s first middle school GSA.
October 28, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I am to grateful (and privileged) to work in a district who sees and values its students, and a district who stands firm in these beliefs.
Today I spent the day refining my allyship knowledge and skills, and planning how I will host my school’s first middle school GSA.
Today I spent the day refining my allyship knowledge and skills, and planning how I will host my school’s first middle school GSA.
It’s my favorite time of the year - Weird Writing Wednesdays. When scholars remember they’re innate storytellers and rediscover their love for writing.
October 1, 2025 at 12:52 PM
It’s my favorite time of the year - Weird Writing Wednesdays. When scholars remember they’re innate storytellers and rediscover their love for writing.
The first week was sweet & full of magic, but the weight of carrying both the classroom & my own kids is already pressing its weight on my shoulders.
Check out my newest Substack - a reflection on invisible labor, impossible expectations, & finding resilience in the multitudes we carry!
Check out my newest Substack - a reflection on invisible labor, impossible expectations, & finding resilience in the multitudes we carry!
August 31, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The first week was sweet & full of magic, but the weight of carrying both the classroom & my own kids is already pressing its weight on my shoulders.
Check out my newest Substack - a reflection on invisible labor, impossible expectations, & finding resilience in the multitudes we carry!
Check out my newest Substack - a reflection on invisible labor, impossible expectations, & finding resilience in the multitudes we carry!
When your first week activities not only establish routines & expectations, but also model & assess core skills, you really discover how your scholars approach both learning & collaborating.
My bold AND my quiet leaders, my creative AND analytical thinkers get to shine!
My bold AND my quiet leaders, my creative AND analytical thinkers get to shine!
August 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
When your first week activities not only establish routines & expectations, but also model & assess core skills, you really discover how your scholars approach both learning & collaborating.
My bold AND my quiet leaders, my creative AND analytical thinkers get to shine!
My bold AND my quiet leaders, my creative AND analytical thinkers get to shine!
Episode 2 of Incantations & Ink, the podcast, is available NOW!
This one is for educators who believe teaching is spellwork. We’ll explore crafting brave, soul-stirring curriculum in the age of censorship.
🎧 Listen here →
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
This one is for educators who believe teaching is spellwork. We’ll explore crafting brave, soul-stirring curriculum in the age of censorship.
🎧 Listen here →
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
Lifting the Veil in the Classroom
Crafting Curriculum with Anti-Racist Intention
open.substack.com
August 15, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Episode 2 of Incantations & Ink, the podcast, is available NOW!
This one is for educators who believe teaching is spellwork. We’ll explore crafting brave, soul-stirring curriculum in the age of censorship.
🎧 Listen here →
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
This one is for educators who believe teaching is spellwork. We’ll explore crafting brave, soul-stirring curriculum in the age of censorship.
🎧 Listen here →
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
🎤✨ POP STAR ERA, BUT MAKE IT TEACHING ✨🎤
Teaching is not just a job. It’s a sacred art - a practice shaped as much by the kids in front of us as by the lessons we plan. It is a living, evolving body of work.
💚 This week on Substack, I’m unpacking what “The Life of a Teacher” really means.
Teaching is not just a job. It’s a sacred art - a practice shaped as much by the kids in front of us as by the lessons we plan. It is a living, evolving body of work.
💚 This week on Substack, I’m unpacking what “The Life of a Teacher” really means.
August 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
🎤✨ POP STAR ERA, BUT MAKE IT TEACHING ✨🎤
Teaching is not just a job. It’s a sacred art - a practice shaped as much by the kids in front of us as by the lessons we plan. It is a living, evolving body of work.
💚 This week on Substack, I’m unpacking what “The Life of a Teacher” really means.
Teaching is not just a job. It’s a sacred art - a practice shaped as much by the kids in front of us as by the lessons we plan. It is a living, evolving body of work.
💚 This week on Substack, I’m unpacking what “The Life of a Teacher” really means.
My newest Substack, Dangerous Words, Sacred Truths is live on Incantations & Ink.
In a time of censorship and fear, choosing what we teach is an act of defiance and devotion.
Read the full post & reclaim the power of the narrative. 🔥
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
In a time of censorship and fear, choosing what we teach is an act of defiance and devotion.
Read the full post & reclaim the power of the narrative. 🔥
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
August 7, 2025 at 3:27 PM
My newest Substack, Dangerous Words, Sacred Truths is live on Incantations & Ink.
In a time of censorship and fear, choosing what we teach is an act of defiance and devotion.
Read the full post & reclaim the power of the narrative. 🔥
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
In a time of censorship and fear, choosing what we teach is an act of defiance and devotion.
Read the full post & reclaim the power of the narrative. 🔥
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
New school year, new magic ✨
Start the year leading with your heart and create rituals that foster trust and connection. Episode 1 of Incantations & Ink, the podcast is live now.
Listen here: open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
Start the year leading with your heart and create rituals that foster trust and connection. Episode 1 of Incantations & Ink, the podcast is live now.
Listen here: open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
August 4, 2025 at 11:28 PM
New school year, new magic ✨
Start the year leading with your heart and create rituals that foster trust and connection. Episode 1 of Incantations & Ink, the podcast is live now.
Listen here: open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
Start the year leading with your heart and create rituals that foster trust and connection. Episode 1 of Incantations & Ink, the podcast is live now.
Listen here: open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
Coming soon to a Substack near you.
Subscribe. It’s free. 🖤
Subscribe. It’s free. 🖤
August 4, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Coming soon to a Substack near you.
Subscribe. It’s free. 🖤
Subscribe. It’s free. 🖤
Today, on Lughnasadh, an ancient harvest celebration, I find myself thinking about cycles - of growth, of letting go, of preparing.
My newest Substack shares how honoring these natural transitions helps me step into the new school year with intention.
incantationsandink.substack.com/p/between-su...
My newest Substack shares how honoring these natural transitions helps me step into the new school year with intention.
incantationsandink.substack.com/p/between-su...
August 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Today, on Lughnasadh, an ancient harvest celebration, I find myself thinking about cycles - of growth, of letting go, of preparing.
My newest Substack shares how honoring these natural transitions helps me step into the new school year with intention.
incantationsandink.substack.com/p/between-su...
My newest Substack shares how honoring these natural transitions helps me step into the new school year with intention.
incantationsandink.substack.com/p/between-su...
I’m trying to write more in ways that are meaningful and “low pressure,” so I have an idea…
Head to Substack to join in the fun!
substack.com/@incantation...
Head to Substack to join in the fun!
substack.com/@incantation...
Incantations & Ink - Jess (@incantationsandink)
I’m trying to write more in ways that are meaningful and “low pressure” as July rolls into August. So I have an idea — for 7 days I’m going to share a one-word theme, a creative prompt, and a micro-in...
substack.com
July 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I’m trying to write more in ways that are meaningful and “low pressure,” so I have an idea…
Head to Substack to join in the fun!
substack.com/@incantation...
Head to Substack to join in the fun!
substack.com/@incantation...
Help stock our 6th grade classroom! 📚✏️
a.co/8hWmtZy
As a Title I school facing budget shortfalls & defunding fears, your support means the world to our students. Every item helps! 💛
#SupportTeachers #Title1Schools #ClassroomWishList #AmazonWishlist #BackToSchool #EdEquity #FundEducation
a.co/8hWmtZy
As a Title I school facing budget shortfalls & defunding fears, your support means the world to our students. Every item helps! 💛
#SupportTeachers #Title1Schools #ClassroomWishList #AmazonWishlist #BackToSchool #EdEquity #FundEducation
July 7, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Help stock our 6th grade classroom! 📚✏️
a.co/8hWmtZy
As a Title I school facing budget shortfalls & defunding fears, your support means the world to our students. Every item helps! 💛
#SupportTeachers #Title1Schools #ClassroomWishList #AmazonWishlist #BackToSchool #EdEquity #FundEducation
a.co/8hWmtZy
As a Title I school facing budget shortfalls & defunding fears, your support means the world to our students. Every item helps! 💛
#SupportTeachers #Title1Schools #ClassroomWishList #AmazonWishlist #BackToSchool #EdEquity #FundEducation
My latest Substack post uses the lens of gentle parenting to explore what it means to truly love this country.
If you're tired of watching the same cycles of harm repeat while people call it "patriotism," this piece is for you.
Let’s raise Her right. 📖 Read here: tinyurl.com/GentleParent...
If you're tired of watching the same cycles of harm repeat while people call it "patriotism," this piece is for you.
Let’s raise Her right. 📖 Read here: tinyurl.com/GentleParent...
Gentle Parenting America
Loving Her, Holding Her Accountable, & Wanting Her to be Her Best Self
tinyurl.com
July 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
My latest Substack post uses the lens of gentle parenting to explore what it means to truly love this country.
If you're tired of watching the same cycles of harm repeat while people call it "patriotism," this piece is for you.
Let’s raise Her right. 📖 Read here: tinyurl.com/GentleParent...
If you're tired of watching the same cycles of harm repeat while people call it "patriotism," this piece is for you.
Let’s raise Her right. 📖 Read here: tinyurl.com/GentleParent...
Teaching students to determine the truth from noise is an act of empowerment. Check out our newest Substack:
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
June 10, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Teaching students to determine the truth from noise is an act of empowerment. Check out our newest Substack:
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
“I know that astrology isn’t a pedagogical tool…I do think it can offer a lighthearted framework for exploring personality dynamics in the classroom.”
Check out my newest post:
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
Check out my newest post:
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
Astrology in the Classroom (Part 1)
Students and their Star Signs
open.substack.com
June 6, 2025 at 12:06 AM
“I know that astrology isn’t a pedagogical tool…I do think it can offer a lighthearted framework for exploring personality dynamics in the classroom.”
Check out my newest post:
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
Check out my newest post:
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
I’ve never been one to shy away from the tough conversations, so this space can’t be any different.
Check out this week’s post and let me know what you think!
substack.com/@incantation...
Check out this week’s post and let me know what you think!
substack.com/@incantation...
Are education and literacy political?
Spoiler Alert: Absolutely
substack.com
May 31, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I’ve never been one to shy away from the tough conversations, so this space can’t be any different.
Check out this week’s post and let me know what you think!
substack.com/@incantation...
Check out this week’s post and let me know what you think!
substack.com/@incantation...
You cannot do this job and give yourself over to it so fully that you don’t protect your own emotional well being, and that means on June-whatever I run TF out of there with a trail of fire behind me.
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
13 More Wake Ups
Counting down 'til the end (of the school year)...and the magic in rest.
open.substack.com
May 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
You cannot do this job and give yourself over to it so fully that you don’t protect your own emotional well being, and that means on June-whatever I run TF out of there with a trail of fire behind me.
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
“…what I love about this combination of my witchiness and my muggle job - is that it is a beautifully authentic way to intertwine both my craft of magick and my craft of teaching.”
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
May 18, 2025 at 11:40 PM
“…what I love about this combination of my witchiness and my muggle job - is that it is a beautifully authentic way to intertwine both my craft of magick and my craft of teaching.”
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...
Spring break is a time to soak up peace and quiet, and to dig into some new books.
I finished Sunrise on the Reaping earlier last week and Heartless Hunter (YA fantasy) today. 🥳
I’m now stuck between The God of the Woods (thriller/crime novel) and When the Moon Hatched (dark fantasy). 🫣 help! 😂
I finished Sunrise on the Reaping earlier last week and Heartless Hunter (YA fantasy) today. 🥳
I’m now stuck between The God of the Woods (thriller/crime novel) and When the Moon Hatched (dark fantasy). 🫣 help! 😂
April 14, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Spring break is a time to soak up peace and quiet, and to dig into some new books.
I finished Sunrise on the Reaping earlier last week and Heartless Hunter (YA fantasy) today. 🥳
I’m now stuck between The God of the Woods (thriller/crime novel) and When the Moon Hatched (dark fantasy). 🫣 help! 😂
I finished Sunrise on the Reaping earlier last week and Heartless Hunter (YA fantasy) today. 🥳
I’m now stuck between The God of the Woods (thriller/crime novel) and When the Moon Hatched (dark fantasy). 🫣 help! 😂
3 days before spring break, we absolutely need to get out of our seats.
With 4 instructional days before PSSAs we can’t let up, so station rotations it is!
Word sorts to review root words.
With 4 instructional days before PSSAs we can’t let up, so station rotations it is!
Word sorts to review root words.
April 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
3 days before spring break, we absolutely need to get out of our seats.
With 4 instructional days before PSSAs we can’t let up, so station rotations it is!
Word sorts to review root words.
With 4 instructional days before PSSAs we can’t let up, so station rotations it is!
Word sorts to review root words.
1 HUGE pushback I tend to experience is that I spend too much time & energy on Weird Writing Wednesdays & just having my scholars tell their own stories & read whole novels not enough instructing TDAs.
My WHY is just this:
Thanks Dr. Curcio for the reinforcement #storytelling #readwholebooks
My WHY is just this:
Thanks Dr. Curcio for the reinforcement #storytelling #readwholebooks
March 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
1 HUGE pushback I tend to experience is that I spend too much time & energy on Weird Writing Wednesdays & just having my scholars tell their own stories & read whole novels not enough instructing TDAs.
My WHY is just this:
Thanks Dr. Curcio for the reinforcement #storytelling #readwholebooks
My WHY is just this:
Thanks Dr. Curcio for the reinforcement #storytelling #readwholebooks
It has been YEARS since I have had the privilege of participating in an outside professional development. I’m so pumped to be here learning & networking with teachers & other professionals w/ Western Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English conference
@ncte.org
Can’t wait to share my takeaways!
@ncte.org
Can’t wait to share my takeaways!
March 19, 2025 at 1:40 PM
It has been YEARS since I have had the privilege of participating in an outside professional development. I’m so pumped to be here learning & networking with teachers & other professionals w/ Western Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English conference
@ncte.org
Can’t wait to share my takeaways!
@ncte.org
Can’t wait to share my takeaways!
Final product work for our novel study is a good indication of who has locked in for quarter 3 and who has some intense work to do over the next few class meetings. It’s all about growth - so we’re taking a lot of deep breaths, having a lot of one on one meetings. Feedback loops are crucial.
March 14, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Final product work for our novel study is a good indication of who has locked in for quarter 3 and who has some intense work to do over the next few class meetings. It’s all about growth - so we’re taking a lot of deep breaths, having a lot of one on one meetings. Feedback loops are crucial.