One of the most powerful ways we can expand our world (and the worlds of our students) is through the books we read and share. In Read Outside Your Bubble, I talk about what it means to intentionally step beyond our comfort zones to learn from and with others. That same mindset applies when we choose the books we bring into our classrooms and homes.

These weapons of war have no place in our communities.

Having 1:1 data chats with your students is powerful because it helps students see themselves as active partners in their learning instead of passive recipients. Why Data Chats are Important Ownership of Learning – When students see their own data, they begin to understand where they are and what they need to work on. It shifts responsibility from teacher-driven progress to student-driven growth.

When you ignite a passion for reading in a child’s life, you’re not just helping them learn—you’re giving them a gift that will last a lifetime. Reading opens doors to imagination, knowledge, empathy, and confidence. It allows children to explore new worlds, understand different perspectives, and develop the language to express themselves. But here’s the truth: children don’t just learn to love reading—they catch the love of reading.

As Memorial Day approaches, many of us fire up the grill, plan family gatherings, or enjoy a long weekend of rest and relaxation. But beyond the food and the hopefully sunshine, there’s a deeper story—one that begins with Black Americans and a powerful act of remembrance that deserves to be told again and again. In May 1865, just weeks after the Civil War ended, newly freed African Americans in Charleston, South Carolina, organized what many now believe to be the first Memorial Day ceremony.

It’s my Book Birthday! 🥳 🫧 🎂💕Happy Birthday, ROYB!! 💕🎂🫧 Today, March 11th, is the official publication date for Read Outside Your Bubble: Expand Your Bookshelf, Expand Your World! 🌎 Today is its official Book Birthday! 🎂💞 I couldn’t be more excited! This book comes at a very critical time in our society. It’s a time where it’s critical to share stories of others outside our bubbles.

Click on the video and click the square in the right hand corner to watch full screen A peek into writing Organizing Thoughts While Close Reading For this particular writing, we began as a class close reading a text about whether or not the penny should be still a coin we use in the United States. Because our focus is opinion, our purpose for reading the text from the standpoint of whether we are for the production of the penny or against the penny's continuation.

As teachers we are often unable or our schedule is not conducive for us to observe other teachers. Although I believe in schools having an embedded culture of learning. I believe it should be common practice. We always wonder, or maybe it’s just me…what happens in other classrooms? I often hear the best professional development is the teacher on your hall or across from you.

Today is the Breaking Boundaries Webinar! Register here! Don’t forget to register to join me today, February 17th at 4:30 p.m. for an, insightful webinar, "Breaking Boundaries: The Power of Reading Outside Your Bubble" where I will explore the importance of diverse perspectives and literature in classrooms. I will offer practical strategies for advocacy and engagement, and share how embracing this will support you in achieving educational excellence in today's world.

Learn how to foster student engagement, cultivate empathy, and encourage a love of reading by bringing diverse literature into the classroom Using an instructional coaching framework, Read Outside You...

Buy at Bookshop! Buy at Amazon! Buy at Barnes & Noble! Learn how to foster student engagement, cultivate empathy, and encourage a love of reading by bringing diverse literature into the classroom in culturally responsive ways! Using an instructional coaching framework, Read Outside Your Bubble: Expand Your Bookshelf, Expand Your World  introduces teachers to a new mindset for helping students develop literacy and become lifelong readers.

We're taking a deep dive into the latest SPPA data on reading for pleasure.