As a Black Latina autistic scholar and educator, my teaching philosophy is not just a set of principles; it is a living, breathing entity shaped by decades of lived experiences. It is a commitment to honoring the profound tapestry of…
Museums, guardians of history and culture, claim to be shedding the remnants of colonialism on a journey toward inclusivity. Yet, beneath the commendable efforts lies a troubling reality: a superficial commitment to representation that merely pays lip service. This deceptive…
In the intricate tapestry of education, there are threads that, if pulled out, wouldn’t unravel the fabric but might actually enhance its pattern. One such thread is the Morning Square, a ritual that’s more about enforcing uniformity than fostering genuine…
In the realm of ostensibly equitable learning opportunities, early childhood education (ECE) claims a position of prominence, yet it grapples inadequately with the imperative of dismantling biased systems. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) places a…
“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein Loris Malaguzzi and the 100 Languages of Learning Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, emphasized the importance of recognizing the ‘100 languages’ of children. This concept embraces…
The field of literacy education is a realm fraught with complexity and contention, extending beyond academic discourse to encapsulate significant political connotations. The rise of the Science of Reading (SOR) and its positioning against Balanced Literacy highlights more than a…
Introduction The debate between the Science of Reading (SOR) and Balanced Literacy is not just a theoretical dispute; it’s a crucial conversation about aligning teaching methods with our neuroscientific understanding of learning. This exploration matters because the future of literacy…
During the first week of second grade, my teacher, Ms. Caulkin, told my mother she was unable to teach me because she had never taught a Black girl. Overhearing this conversation, I remember feeling instantly engulfed in indescribable heat, confusion,…
Introduction Curious if your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) would follow them to Mars? Well, in a metaphorical sense, it absolutely does! Drawing from my experiences as a former preschool director and special education teacher, I’ve seen the struggles parents…
During my third year of teaching kindergarten, I had a student who came in from his preschool with a 504 plan. It was the first time I’d seen a 504 plan for a kindergartner. When I looked into the child’s…