Back to School 2021: The State of Our US Classrooms
The past 18 months have been nothing short of a tumultuous ride for US educators, students, staff, and families. Thrusted into virtual learning, the pandemic has also exacerbated the disparities among communities of color. The digital divide became apparent as students and families scurried to connect to reliable internet, circumnavigating limited resources and lack of access to functioning laptops across many vulnerable districts.
#HerTurn in Sierra Leone?!
Elation and excitement filled the airwaves. Project 214 leaned in as Magdelena and her father discussed their work in their hometown that is ravaged with poverty, lack of affordable healthcare, and gender inequality in the classroom. Our hearts leaped in both excitement and agreement at their desire to send as many girls to school with the needed resources for a school year. We shook virtual hands, awarded her Project 214 scholarship, and eagerly awaited the implementation of these efforts.
Glows & Grows
This year has been a bumpy ride. We have learned the art of pausing and trusting. We’ve activated faith in ways only a year like 2020 can bring. We have traded busy schedules and travels for intentional conversations, dreaming and “roll up our sleeves” type investing. We have learned, God is truly all we need even when the belief in ourselves isn’t steady.
We Teach; What's Your Superpower?
Crisis does two things to us as a humanity: drive us out in fear, or push us forward in courage. And perhaps there’s an in-between stage of a little bit of both. This is ok. We are certainly allowed to feel authentically what’s bubbling in our souls.
Hard Lockdown
Day spent under my desk.
Allegedly, a student was identified to have a weapon in the building... that was enough to send us in a HARD lockdown. Protocol kicked in immediately; swift action taken. My students and former students began reaching out to me, voicing their concerns. In my fear, I told them to stay calm, and the prayer is we will be ok.