Category: Uncategorized
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Processing police violence in our communities
It has been a long 4+ months since the last time I posted. Today’s post will be a short update on what we are up to in the midst of very trying times. THE BACKSTORY: It has been a tough year in our community. On top of the COVID-19 pandemic,…
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The weight of the world
I know I don’t have to tell you that this year is hard. Whether you are in person, fully remote, or the dreadful hybrid, teaching this year is extremely challenging and often feels downright impossible. I know we teachers are all doing our best to check in with our students…
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Independent Reading During Distance Learning
Independent reading is such a big part of class. Finding a way to make it work in this time of fully remote learning was extremely important to me, so I spent a significant chunk of time thinking through different ways to implement choice reading this year. Today I’ll outline what…
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Historia de mi nombre Distance Learning unit
COVID-19 is raging and I’m so grateful that we are still in a fully distance-learning model. Obviously it’s not ideal; not seeing my students face-to-face makes it extremely difficult to build the relationships I usually have and of course I can’t read their facial expressions to gauge understanding. But cases…
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Q & A: How do you motivate your heritage students?
Hello, friends. It’s been too long. This fall has been incredibly busy with school, presentations and family. I’m sure you’re all finding this year to be more than a little challenging, and as my fall busy-ness starts to slow down, I’m hoping to get some more regular posts up in…
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Starting the year off write, 2020 version
It’s 2020, so basically, if it can go wrong, it will. I know I don’t have to tell you that, because you’re living through it right here with me. In my school, pretty much everything we do is different this year. For starters, we’re entirely remote for at least first…
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TW: Death of a student
I try to write useful pieces here, but I’ve found that writing is where I do my best thinking, and this is where I write. So today, I’m writing for me. A student died yesterday, and I feel numb. A vibrant, strong, hilarious student died yesterday, and I’m really struggling…
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Register Now for the En Comunidad Webinar!
This event has passed. Stay tuned for upcoming events. Recently I shared my recommendation of the book En Comunidad: Lessons on Centering the Voices and Experiences of Bilingual Latinx Students. Today I’m back to share an exciting opportunity: a webinar with Dr. Carla España and Luz Yadira Herrera, authors of…
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What A Year: Reflections on my First Year of Workshop Teaching
In all new experiences, expect the unexpected Wow! When I think back to August 2019, I can say with 100% certainty that I had no idea of where this school year would lead. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency distance learning, and the murder of George Floyd and subsequent civil unrest…
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Recommended Reading: En comunidad: Lessons for Centering the Voices and Experiences of Bilingual Latinx Students
I’m really excited to share this wonderful book with you. Whether you’re teaching your heritage classes with a workshop model or not, I think you will find this book valuable. Honestly, I was kind of in love with this book before I even opened it, because this cover is beautiful!…
Growing with Heritage Learners 