A review of Kia Jane Richmond's Mental Illness in Young Adult Literature: Exploring Real Struggles through Fictional Characters. ABC-CLIO, 2019. After meeting Kia Jane Richmond at the Annual NCTE Convention in Baltimore in 2019, I knew I had to read her work. Rather than starting with a short article—of which she has written many—I began … Continue reading New Kinds of Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors: Destigmatizing Mental Health in Our Classrooms through Young Adult Literature by Rebecca Chatham-Vazquez
Engaging Minds, Inspiring Readers by Jen McCarty Plucker
In classrooms filled with diverse learners, engagement doesn’t come from compliance—it comes from connection, curiosity, and relevance. Before we can expect students to meet us in rigorous academic work, we must first understand the often-hidden reasons behind their resistance. In my teaching practice and research, I’ve discovered that many seemingly disengaged behaviors are actually defense … Continue reading Engaging Minds, Inspiring Readers by Jen McCarty Plucker
Strategies for Changing Hearts and Minds by David Beard
Teaching about anti-Semitism has never been more important and, possibly, more complicated than it is today. The Anti-Defamation League identifies anti-Semitism as on the rise (e.g., in “U.S. Antisemitic Incidents Skyrocketed 360% in Aftermath of Attack in Israel, According to Latest ADL Data”). It has also become more complicated, as a topic for civic life … Continue reading Strategies for Changing Hearts and Minds by David Beard
Finding “The Wisdom to Know the Difference” about AI by Matthew Schempp
The Serenity Prayer Like many other schools across the state of Minnesota, we at BlueSky School have struggled with the dual opportunities and threats of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the last three years. Last May, we presented our struggles, guiding philosophy, and paths to teaching in this new environment. In … Continue reading Finding “The Wisdom to Know the Difference” about AI by Matthew Schempp
Speak Something Alive: Spoken Word Poetry in the Classroom by Kyle Tran Myhre
An adaptation of a presentation at the 2024 MCTE Spring Conference On the first day of an artist-in-residence gig, I generally dodge the question: What is poetry? I’ve been a working poet for twenty years, was on two National Poetry Slam championship teams, performed everywhere from the Target Center to the United Nations, even contributed … Continue reading Speak Something Alive: Spoken Word Poetry in the Classroom by Kyle Tran Myhre
The Case for Teaching Climate Literacy in English Class by Abby Hartzell
Climate change belongs in the English curriculum just as much as it belongs in science. Last spring, I presented about my experiences teaching a climate literacy unit to my 9th grade English class. During the presentation, I encouraged audience members to consider the myriad ways reading and analyzing climate texts can engage students from any … Continue reading The Case for Teaching Climate Literacy in English Class by Abby Hartzell
Beyond Color: Strategies for Introducing Diverse Books, and Some Book Recommendations Too by Rosalind Hudson and Hiawatha Smith
Reflection Pause for a moment and reflect on your response to these thought-provoking questions: Introduction The world is rich in diversity, and it is crucial for students to learn about and engage with this diversity. Diversity encompasses much more than the representation of “color” and the well-known non-dominant groups; it reflects the broader pluralistic world. … Continue reading Beyond Color: Strategies for Introducing Diverse Books, and Some Book Recommendations Too by Rosalind Hudson and Hiawatha Smith
Two Poems by Patrick Hueller
Acts 2 & 3 Today in my overheated classrooma fight broke outbetween two girls.We were reading Romeo & Juliet—the balcony scene,which doesn’t actually take placeon a balcony: if you’re just reading the play, not watching it, the only stage direction given is Romeo sees lightcoming from an upper windowand, moments later, Juliet appears at the window.But then again … Continue reading Two Poems by Patrick Hueller
Teaching in the Age of AI by Jon Fila
First, some context: I’ve been an English teacher for over two decades. For about ten years, I’ve taught English online in an asynchronous setting. I’ve only taught in a traditional setting for one semester in my career and quickly gravitated towards student populations who struggle. I find myself always seeking out whatever challenging area in … Continue reading Teaching in the Age of AI by Jon Fila
Sitting in Community: A Circle of Secondary ELA Teachers by Alison Criss and Abigail Rombalski
Thank you to the attending circle for sitting in community with us last spring. Thanks to MCTE for the welcome and thanks to Burke and Lee for the invitation to write. Special gratitude to Ricardo Levins Morales https://www.rlmartstudio.com/ for how your movement ideas and art hold us up and push us together in thoughtful ways. … Continue reading Sitting in Community: A Circle of Secondary ELA Teachers by Alison Criss and Abigail Rombalski
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