For the Inaugural "Transformative Teacher" Series Feature, it only made sense for me to start with the one with whom I am most familiar (well, besides myself, of course). I'm talking about my incomparable big sister and educator extraordinaire, Ruba Al-Serhan. Read along as she shares her reflections on identity, transitioning to teaching high school after 16 years in early childhood classrooms, teaching in "The Bible Belt" as a Muslim-American woman, and more. I am fairly certain you'll love her as much as I do!
Read More“So, what is Montessori?”
You’ve been asked this question again and you think to yourself… ‘I’m delighted that you’re interested, but how do I respond in a concise manner while still managing to do justice to this comprehensive method of education?’ Even as someone who has gone through rigorous training to become a Montessorian, I still struggle with my “elevator speech,” if you will, but here goes nothing…
Read MoreFrom Jasmine Banks: "Razan Abdin-Adnani is adamant that in order for us to effectively do equity work, that we must also deeply understand ourselves and our identities."
Check out my guest post on her blog here!
Read MoreAre you someone who likes to participate in archaic traditions?
Yeah, me neither.
Like most people, I’ve retired from the increasingly obsolete tradition of setting a New Year’s Resolution because I never stay loyal to the resolution itself. So, if it isn’t really an effective strategy for personal growth or success, why use it?
I’ve been seeing this new tradition sprouting up like wildflowers on my social media recently and I’m kind of intrigued. It suggests choosing just one solitary word to represent that which you’d like to see manifested in the New Year.
Read MoreA seasonal twist on a quintessential Montessori language work:
The Phonetic Object Game consists of a box containing 6-8 small objects, the names of which are phonetic (e.g.-lid, cat, pot, magnet, etc.). It is the first reading activity in the Montessori Primary environment. The printed labels shown in the picture are part of the child’s independent work of reading the labels and matching them to the appropriate objects. It is ideal to rotate the objects frequently in order to sustain interest.
Children will love the seasonally inspired version of this language activity!
Read MoreMy life looks radically different these days (in some ways anyhow). Since the last time I shared anything in this space, I got engaged, moved, turned 30, left teaching, got married, and started gaining a clearer idea of what I want my life’s work to look like. Whew. I’m learning how to navigate life wearing new and unfamiliar identities: 30-something, wife (oh yes, and that new, hyphenated name), Charlottean (sigh), person who tries to be braver in certain areas of her life despite seemingly insurmountable anxiety and fear, etc. I am still in the midst of trying to decide what freedom looks like in the context of my own life, both personally and professionally.
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