Posts Tagged ‘social impact’
Finding Joy and Inclusion Online
School or No School? If you have kids at home, I am sure you are very focused on what is going to happen with school in the Fall. There is very little clarity and every week that goes by, things seem very different. I can imagine how challenging this uncertainty must be for teachers, parents,…
Read MoreTravel Promotes Inclusion
As a child, my family prioritized diversity in many ways. My family attended church in a diverse city nearby so that I could access multiple perspectives and backgrounds, learning from those around me. When my grandmother told my mom she wanted me to go to private school, my mom reminded her of the immense benefits…
Read MoreWhen the Teacher Takes a Page Out of the Camp Counselor’s Book
A wise mentor once told me, “Camp counselors need to learn from teachers, and teachers need to learn from camp counselors.” I got what he was saying, but I’m not sure I really got it. This week, I gave it a try. I’ve been feeling bogged down by my job. With standardized testing coming up,…
Read MoreHappy Teacher Appreciation Week!
Last Fall, this video, in which Lily Eskelsen Garcia explains ALL that teachers do each day, went viral. … And it’s true! Many teachers are caregivers, primary emotional support providers, instructional experts, snack-givers, referees, relationship-builders, and much more. Teachers, thank you for all that you do to promote confidence and help students find a sense…
Read MoreHappy Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week!
This week is National Afterschool Association (NAA)’s Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week! This week is a chance to thank the people who make an incredible range of afterschool activities possible for children and families across the United States. With two parents who worked full-time, I attended after-school activities throughout my childhood. I had the opportunity to…
Read MoreSeeing Each Other as Humans: Sportsmanship
Throughout my life, I have loved this time of year. As a zealous NFL fan (Go Steelers!), I love watching the playoffs as our country prepares for the Super Bowl– the best day of the year for football, commercials, and an amazing concert. (Side note: Did you know that this year’s Super Bowl halftime show…
Read MoreWhen I Know My Work Here is Done
With the holidays coming, everyone at school as been squirrelly, students and teachers alike. With the restlessness has come some behavioral challenges, and I have felt myself beginning to lose patience. Sometimes, I just think to yourself, “Were my directions really that difficult? Why doesn’t anyone seem to listen? If I hear, ‘Wait, what are…
Read MoreLittle Italy Restaurante in Anchorage: Thank you for your advocacy!
Little Italy Restaurante in Anchorage, Alaska recently demonstrated solidarity by refusing service. The restaurant stood behind its staff member with a disability, demonstrating that discrimination and disrespect would not be tolerated– by staff or customers. The restaurant’s management chose to value humanity over business. In addition to its extensive dine-in menu consisting of fan-favorite Italian and…
Read MoreThankful for Inclusion
This Thanksgiving, I’ve spent time reflecting on the experiences that have made me who I am today and shaped the values I have. I have been thinking about the path that brought me to the career and the friends I have, as well as the way that I treat and lead others. I am thankful…
Read MorePercy Jackson on Disabilities
Growing up, the only exposure I had to disabilities was through face-to-face conversations and interactions through school- and community-based programs. It felt as though disability culture was shunned from the media. As we have been reading more and more about models with disabilities, dolls with disabilities, and characters in TV shows for adult and child…
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