Temporarily Placing the Pandemic Blues on Silent Mode
Written by Sarah Johnson
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
My son started in-person school for the first time since March 2020 in mid-October. His new teacher has twenty-eight 1st graders in her class and I am in awe of her. At pickup, she has personalized recommendations for every caregiver. For instance, she advised me to work on reading fluency with my son and included carefully chosen books in his backpack.
Amidst a great deal of challenges, teachers (like my son’s teacher) are working tirelessly to support families and communities as we continue to endure a pandemic. And there isn’t enough applause or praise that I can possibly give to show how much I appreciate all of them.
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Recently, I was privileged to join a panel hosted by the Overdeck Family Foundation and the Campaign for Grade-level Reading on “Learning at Home and in the Classroom: Innovation in Curricula and Professional Learning.” We discussed what we learned from the pandemic and how educators can continue to treat caregivers as partners in supporting students' academic growth and social and emotional health.
Please check out the webinar here for information and resources.
Native American Heritage Month
Sometimes, During a Summer Storm, Her Hair Ran with Rainbows, Artwork By Kevin Peters
November is Native American Heritage Month. During this time period when some people seek to erase our nation's history, it is essential that we tell the truth about Native American contributions, achievements, and sacrifices as these stories make us the nation we are today. See resources below that educators can use to honor Native American history in their classrooms.
In 1914, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Native Americans. After years of Native American advocacy, Native American Heritage Month evolved from its beginnings as a week-long celebration in 1986, when the President proclaimed the week of November 23-30, 1986 as "American Indian Week."
Every President since 1995 has issued annual proclamations designating the month of November as the time to celebrate the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of people who were the first inhabitants of the United States.
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Sarah Johnson is the CEO of Teaching Lab and leads the organization’s strategic initiatives, including setting and communicating its mission, strategic management, ensuring financial and operational health, leading fundraising efforts, and stewarding Teaching Lab’s board.
