Students have headed back to school this fall with the weight of social and political unrest in the air. As a microcosm of society, what happens external to our schools impacts how students make sense of and experience the world…. Read More ›
racism
Developing Inclusive Learners & Citizens: A Call to Action
One year ago, our ALA Emerging Leaders group presented our project, “Developing Inclusive Learners and Citizens Activity Guide.” We had no idea at that time that just a year later our country would be in crisis with nation-wide shutdowns due to… Read More ›
Searching for the Next Right Thing
Last month, I wrote that selecting a topic for my blog post was difficult, because the world is a different place than it was a few months ago. Critical conversations are happening in many areas related to systemic racism. I… Read More ›
8 Picture Books that Support the Include Shared Foundation
Is your school revising curriculum to make it more inclusive and diverse? Your role as the school librarian is essential in this work, and the AASL Standards will help you take a seat at the table. The Include Shared Foundation… Read More ›
Supporting Students during This Period of Unrest
In the wake of tragedy, followed by continuing protests around the country, I imagine many of you, like me, are wondering how to best support your students during this time. I have gathered a few ideas from colleagues and social… Read More ›
School Libraries and Antiracism
For Black people, and people of color, the systemic racism, the oppression, and the acts of aggression that have taken place for the entire timeline of our country is a never-ending stain on our society. As I write this, sitting… Read More ›
White Privilege Part 1
Recently I heard the song “White Privilege II” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (play it before you read…) and using the lyrics as inspiration I started thinking about this blog post. I’ve heard that silences are action and I’ve been… Read More ›
That’s just the way it is
Recently I heard the song “The Way It” Is by Bruce Hornsby and the Range and I started thinking about the words: “Said hey, little boy, you can’t go where the others go ‘Cause you don’t look like they do… Read More ›
Choosing Books That Challenge: Shaking Up Students’ Beliefs
This past weekend I read an outstanding essay in The New York Times “Book Review” section by Brian Morton, the director of the writing program at Sarah Lawrence College. In it, he describes an encounter with a college student who had been… Read More ›