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This TT staffer reflects on the incessant violence in our country as an educator and a mother.

Mexican culture cannot be reduced to tacos, oversized sombreros and piñatas.

All educators have the civic responsibility to learn and teach the basic history and tenets of this movement for racial justice.

Students won’t succeed until they believe they can.

Even young students notice when their cultures are relevant only during heritage months.

After a colleague told her, “I’m not coming back next year,” this teacher reflected on what makes her an effective anti-bias educator.

“We don’t participate in class because we’re not as smart as the white kids.” See how this Latina educator responded when Latina students expressed this negative self-perception.

The whine of the projector subsides. Someone clicks on the lights. As the professor asks for commentary, the rapid raising of hands signifies an eagerness to respond. I remain still. Listening to my peer’s criticism of the Appalachian people featured in the made-for-TV special, I am humiliated.

My third-period students rushed in at the start of class, wide-eyed and excited. Something had happened. “Quentin hit Ms. Combs!” Helen Combs was my friend. She taught language arts. “He knocked her down,” one student reported. “They took her to the hospital, and the police took him away in handcuffs!”

A couple of years ago a student approached me after history class. Avoiding eye contact, he trembled a bit before speaking. His voice was shaking. “I am sorry, teacher,” Armando began. “I could not finish my project. My parents were killed a couple days ago.”