“Kenna, will you tutor this student in biology?” Music to an aspiring teacher’s ears! Excited to feel needed, my head spun with so many plans for worksheets and flashcards and quizzes and games....

February 15th, 2018 Today I traced letters into my cheek tested their warmth bit around their edges and held them on my tongue until they grew soft and quiet I wanted my students to hear wildflowers or...

Two Empty Chairs We waited, saving the last two chairs for them Small talking about bleacher-friend days Asking the catch-up question, “What’s new?” It wasn’t unusual, that these two would...

My Tía’s Redención, A Lyric Poem Click, click, click. Medium blue flames licked the bottom of the cellophane-flaking, greased stained pan. Raw white sopes lovingly slid into crackling oil, never...

By Nikki Smith and Kirstey Ewald, ICTE Fall Conference Chairs ICTE’s annual conference has always felt like coming home. It hits at the perfect time of the school year as teachers are just starting...

No One Owned The Hour --for Heather Heyer no one owned the hour no one saw the land turn into water or the sky offer its light to the last door of morning no one remembered when men & women forgot...

A Seed of Hope “Ruby? Is that you?” Mrs. Mertens asked as she poked her head out of the trailer next door.   “Yes, Mrs. Mertens,” Ruby replied. “Good morning.” “Them mums are sure...

I’m drawn back to the aromas of deli platters and the sounds of dice crawling on the table for the game. I’m reminded of the warm, parting hugs from my coworkers that became my second family. I’m...

A Slice of Pi Once again, Charles walked away from a grave site alone.  He turned one last time to view the casket, draped in the circular spray of flowers.  The last of the family and friends scattered...

Is it Soda or Pop? Today I had a realization. My family has done nothing to stop my brother's racism. They, in fact, have let it go so often that it's not even a second thought to them. Over the...

Book Review:  Solo by Kwame Alexander Released August 1, 2017 For those teachers and readers who fell in love with Crossover and Booked, the prospect of a new book by Kwame Alexander can make their...