School leadership should be willing to lose teachers who speak disrespectfully about children. We screen for a specific orientation to teacher language in our hiring process; deficit language about kids is a hard no for us.

I generally try to avoid excessive travel for work because I hate being away from family. Though these solitary moments in the hotel room where I iron my slacks before I head out for the day always feels like a moment to connect with my father. less

I’ve had a few reminders lately that I am killing the game. Taking a walk and just letting the sun and gratitude sink in. #winning #grateful

Support the Oakland Literacy Coalition and enjoy an evening with great folks (9/18/24) Funds to support their amazing work to ensure all young people in Oakland learn and love to read. Follow the link to purchase your tickets now! #proudboardmember oaklandliteracycoalition.org/chapters-of-ch…

Now is a good time to be honest with ourselves… Far too many educators haven’t been supported to create classroom cultures of belonging and academic achievement. Reach out if I can help you or your team develop the foundational practices for positive classroom culture.

Happy Thursday, y’all!

Sometimes we focus on helping students determine who they want to be at the expense of helping them understand who they already are. Knowledge of Self can beget a Sense of Purpose. Add in Knowledge of Community and we can build a generation of powerful leaders.

I’ll take this as an omen on my birthday. I had just gotten off a call with a friend who I asked to hold me accountable for getting my book written… Then this shows up in my email box. #manifest

It’s okay (and maybe even a little brave) to admit that sometimes doing your best isn’t enough and sometimes, even your best causes harm.

Friday Shout Outs: Sending love to all the ousdnews educators who welcomed young people (including mine) into classrooms and campuses this week! Sitting in gratitude for all the Pajaro Valley Unified School District school leaders who launched our coaching sessions this week Let’s get it in 24/25

“You don’t have to intend racism to accomplish it!” 🗣️🔥💨Michael Eric Dyson

Add May 2025 to your book release schedules! This book is such a work of heart and includes teacher and student voices and input. 🖤 We are thankful.

Should we worry that our little one tried to punk a bear?

This is the courage and fortitude that opened the door to a party that actually looks like America. But telling this history is exactly what extremists want to censor. We have to defend the #FreedomtoLearn in our fight for democracy.

I finally got to see a physical copy of 'When You're the New Teacher: 28 Strategies to Align Your Good Intentions with Your Teaching Practices' This is a brilliant book and would be so helpful to anyone entering their student teaching or their first years of teaching

Humble yet ambitious.

My parents: My daily example of love, compassion, faith, and nonviolence. #KingLegacy #MLK #CorettaScottKing

When we don’t expect our students to learn how to pronounce our names we send an unfortunate message to our students and families. Our names, culture, and language are part of our identity. That should be honored not avoided. a BTSN parent reflection.

There is never any justification for the deliberate killing of civilians. Any civilians. Anywhere.

There is no moral justification for today’s extraordinary concentration of wealth. It is distorting our politics, rigging our markets, and granting unprecedented power to a handful of people. Wealth can’t be separated from power. Power begets wealth and wealth begets power.