Who Am I? Help Students Explore Their Identity

This post was originally published for Annenberg Learner foundation.  Being an English language learner, in middle school, was a really difficult experience. I had many questions about my identity, and who I was as an individual. This was a result of the language shift, but a culture shift played a huge role in this complex … Continue reading Who Am I? Help Students Explore Their Identity

The Toughest Lessons Learned: Conversations on Race

“In a sense the limitations of Orientalism are, as I said earlier, the limitations that follow upon disregarding, essentializing, denuding the humanity of another culture, people, or geographical region.” ~ Edward Said The first time I read Edward Said's "Orientalism" was when I was doing my Master's in Literature, back in 2008. I remember signing … Continue reading The Toughest Lessons Learned: Conversations on Race

“Why is your point important?” On the importance of Analysis in Writing

This post was originally published on The Writing Project's Blog. When we write, it’s important that we try and think about the reason why you’re writing your point. This helps us to stay focused on making our point clear to the reader, and helps to push our thinking to the next level. Instead of focusing … Continue reading “Why is your point important?” On the importance of Analysis in Writing

Cultivating Student Voice through Narrative Writing

Every day, students at University Laboratory School, a public charter in Honolulu, Hawaii, have the opportunity to spend a quiet 10-15 minutes with their teachers for a Writer’s Workshop. One on one, they talk through the student’s progress on writing assignments they were assigned to complete during class. But these aren’t the stale essay responses … Continue reading Cultivating Student Voice through Narrative Writing

The Community of School: Some #Educon Takeaways

This weekend I attended #Educon conference in Philly. It was held in the Science & Leadership Academy, and the opening keynote panel for Friday evening was held at the Franklin Institute. It's my first time in Philadelphia, so I was really looking forward to attending, and presenting. My friends, Xian and Melinda, and I held … Continue reading The Community of School: Some #Educon Takeaways