The Blog

EquitySpaceATX reflection Sep 21, 2019

One of the challenges of living in Austin, Texas is navigating the insistent gentrification taking place. It rips communities and takes your friends away. It forces potential friends to leave, too. 

Roberto and I have worked hard to intentionally find and develop friendships with...

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Is my school welcoming to People of Color? anti-racist schools antiracist bipoc csp diversity inclusive reflection resources welcoming Aug 07, 2019

I recently read Kiese Laymon’s book Heavy. I can’t stop talking about it. It was powerful, raw, beautiful, impactful, and heavy. (Pun intended!) One of the moments he narrates is about an incident that happened to him as a college professor. He was the only Black male professor...

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We’re In This Together bipoc classroom education reflection teachers Oct 19, 2018

Being a teacher who is black, indigenous, or a person of color (BIPoc), can be challenging in and of itself. So many resources that come across don’t always speak to our experiences in the classroom as a teacher. There are commonalities and trends to what we experience as teachers, and...

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Losing My Breath reflection Jun 18, 2018

Growing up an immigrant of color in the U.S. can be full of challenges and trauma.

My family came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in the late 80s. I was four. While I was born there and have dual citizenship, and can’t deny the island breeze in my veins, I’m also very...

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A Lesson on the N-Word #antiracistedu abar antiracist black lives matter classroom discussion ela reflection resources Nov 01, 2017

You can’t teach the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and not discuss the n-word. Ignoring it is irresponsible. So, how does a teacher engage her class in a discussion around this very controversial and complicated word? 

NOTE: My current teaching context is a small...

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Dust Your Shoulders Off classroom reflection Jan 04, 2017

I’ve had many difficult teaching moments. Some were a result of my own doing, yet many were a result of systemic inequalities that bled into the four walls of my classroom. I once had a student drop out of his junior year in order to work full time so he could help his family back home in...

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What I Told My Seniors classroom reflection Nov 14, 2016

I didn’t realize how unprepared I was for Trump’s election. I had simply not thought that result through. Immediately I began receiving text messages. My father’s words to all of his children will stay with me. I was teary-eyed as I dropped Analiz off at school. I cried a bit...

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Teachin’ Ain’t for the Weak reflection Oct 17, 2016

Teaching at Headwaters is quite the change of pace & style for me. The main differences are the creative autonomy I have and the student academic freedoms they enjoy.  I wrote more about that here.

What are the main differences? 

1. Debriefing class/lessons.

2....

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Not Your Momma’s Mockingbird csp reflection resources Oct 01, 2016
I’ve taught 9th grade for many years and one thing I’ve learned is that they are young, ready, willing, and needing of a space to be themselves. Since I began working with a predominantly white student body, I have tweaked my approach to teaching from an anti-bias/anti-racist lens to...
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