When I applied to college to become an educator, I did not know I was potentially signing up to give the ultimate sacrifice, my life. With the increase of school shootings, this is a potential reality for educators. This leaves school districts scrambling to find the best way to prepare students and staff to survive…
Last week was a rough week. I expressed to my husband how weighed down I was feeling with all that was happening in our lives. I mentioned how I love being a library/media specialist but feel out of place at my school. My husband suggested I should think about doing something else. If you know…
Many times when these history or heritage months come around, we focus on famous people. I understand why. These individuals have had a significant impact on our lives and changed the course of history. When former first lady Michelle Obama came to Indianapolis last year to speak, I was in the audience. She reminded the…
March is Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month is an opportunity to highlight the trailblazing women who broke through barriers and glass ceilings. Even though we say that women can do anything, are we creating classroom environments that send that message to our young girls? Growing up as a girl, I believed I could do…
If you know anything about the fight for educational equity in this country, you know that many people feel like the school system is rigged. Yesterday, we had proof. An FBI investigation revealed that some wealthy and high-profile parents, such as Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, paid large sums of money to ensure their children…
Recently, I read a story about a teacher who was suspended for three days and had a reprimand placed in her file. What was her crime? Asking her parents for help to improve the 58-degree temperature in her classroom. Mary Logan provided her students with the contact information of the school board to give to…
Recently, my fellow Indy K12 writer David McGuire wrote about how schools can make parents feel like their children are bad. This school year, I have not felt this way, but I have felt this way in the past. It’s annoying to have your children’s school constantly call you. It is frustrating because you are…
Recently, I attended a baby shower which brought to the forefront of my mind how easily we forget the importance of making sure students see themselves and people who do not look like them in their school’s curriculum throughout the school year. The baby shower I attended had a book theme. Guests were asked to…
Although this is my 13th year as an educator, this is my first year as a school librarian. Most people say this is a perfect job for me since I’m an avid reader. When I was an English teacher, I did a good job of promoting literacy and a love of reading. One school year,…
As reported by NBC News, “a sixth-grader in Florida was arrested after his refusal to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance escalated into a confrontation with police and school officials, authorities said.” Unfortunately, we are having the wrong conversation about this incident. Many people are arguing about the student refusing to stand for the Pledge…