The article “7-year-old girl traumatized after White school staff member cuts her hair” first came across my news feed on Saturday evening, April 17. I clicked on the article to learn more. How could something like this happen in a… Read More ›
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Supporting Students by Collaborating with Counselors
In October 2016, I attended the School Library Journal Leadership Summit and was honored to hear YA author Shaun David Hutchinson speak about the impact of his mental health and sexuality on his writing and his life. He said, “I… Read More ›
Picture Books and Primary Sources: The Fighting Infantryman: The Story of Albert D.J. Cashier, Transgender Civil War Soldier by Rob Sanders and Nabi Ali
Often when students learn about large topics like the Civil War, teachers work to help students see the human side of the event. It can personalize an abstract larger-than-life event, given an entry point to put themselves in someone else’s… Read More ›
To Kill a Mockingbird Themes with Student Choice
In my high school, teaching To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a requirement for all freshman English classes during second semester. This year I had a teacher approach me wanting to brainstorm ways we could make this book… Read More ›
You Have Always Been My Safe Home: The School Library
“The library is my safe harbor since I dare not go into the cafeteria alone, a whale surrounded by starving sharks.” — Lisa Fipps, Starfish This month being April, I had a veritable menagerie of subjects swirling about in my… Read More ›
Modeling Inclusion in Our Learning Communities
During the past year, time has felt fluid. I have lost track of days and have had to write down everything just to get tasks accomplished. This year has also led me to reflect on the need for equity, diversity,… Read More ›
Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball
There are several broad topics in elementary, middle, and high school that may lead to student research. When those happen, I’m a supporter of students being able to select an aspect of the topic they research. That choice can be… Read More ›
Connecting to Cultures and Community through Story
I am always looking for a way to connect with classrooms and support teachers. As I was going through the curriculum goals for third grade I saw one that sparked my interest. “How communities change over time” could combine so… Read More ›
Three More Resources For Black History Month
Here are three incredible resources for this February. ASALH and the Origins of Black History Month Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) in 1915. The ASALH are creators of the… Read More ›
The Power Project: AASL 2020 Roald Dah’s Miss Honey Social Justice Award Recipient
“Having power is not nearly as important as what you choose to do with it,” says the wise-beyond-her-years Matilda. The theme of power plays an important role in most of Roald Dahl’s work, particularly youth standing up against powerful adults… Read More ›