On “Hidden Curriculum”: Teaching Students How to Be Students

"The "hidden curriculum" refers to the unwritten, unofficial, and often unintended lessons, values, and perspectives that students learn in school, distinct from the formal curriculum. These are the unspoken messages and norms conveyed through the school environment, teacher behavior, and student interactions. " I had an opportunity earlier this year to participate in a professional development workshop on … Continue reading On “Hidden Curriculum”: Teaching Students How to Be Students →

Mental Health Matters

This is your reminder ... to take care of your mental health ... INTENTIONALLY. Lots of people wait until things get heavy to do the work of mental health maintenance. I talked with a friend this week who told me they can't think of a reason to go to therapy, but if something ever comes … Continue reading Mental Health Matters →

The Momentum of a Moment…

If you're like me, most often you are your harshest critic. You leave the classroom reflecting on the experience of learning you just shared with your students. On the way back to the office, you run through all of the things you think you could have done different (which translates in your head to better). … Continue reading The Momentum of a Moment… →

Dear (Depressed) Black Boy…

We had toiled over his missing assignments for several weeks with very little progress. Every conversation concluded with promises that never came to fruition, but I was being extra patient because I could see that he was earnestly trying and really wanted to get the work done. Something was happening, however, that just wouldn't allow … Continue reading Dear (Depressed) Black Boy… →

The Return…

"In the end, the goal is retention, for we can only instruct and shape the students who feel safe and supported enough to stay." There's no better feeling than seeing students who struggled a semester before tough it out and return! I often think "College Professor" is such an inadequate term for the work we … Continue reading The Return… →

On Reciprocity…

A few days ago, I happened to mention that in my younger years I might have been categorized as a "church kid" while teaching. My class was discussing the impact of homophobia, stereotypes, and racialized perceptions of queer sexuality on African American parental expectations of teacher interactions with students in primary and secondary education settings. … Continue reading On Reciprocity… →