Leveraging Academic Success to Foster Student Belonging

#ORTII2026

Key Takeaways Learning another language is an asser Oral language is the foundation of literacy Spoken language practice is needed Language is the substance of literacy instruction

#ORTII2026 keynote with Maya Valencia Goodall

Getting started with another day of #ORTII2026

Anyway, I'm having a good time and learning so much! Best practices for spelling instruction, decoding instruction for grades 3-5 and more. But my brain is ready for a break. #ortii2026

The eyewatering hypocrisy writes itself.

Identification matters, especially when funding depends on it. But it only works if it leads to meaningful support. Otherwise, we’re focusing more on who qualifies than what students actually need.

“When a kid walks in the room, your child or anybody else’s child, does your face light up? That’s what they’re looking for.” —Toni Morrison

Anyone here at #ortii2026?

When the same viral post shows up on both of your accounts...

Saturday after spring break, opening my computer for the first time aaaaannnnnd closing it again, I think (I have a cold and my brain is NOT working).

The cover, spine, and back cover of Letter to a New Teacher: Real Advice and Practical Strategies for Getting Started in Elementary Teaching.

I wrote a book! It is amazing to see the final cover, spine, and back cover of the book that should be out in late June.

y'all I think we broke Reading Rockets

A box of books

It's my favorite day of the month - Scholastic book box day!

IMO a search for "delta shield" should show me Star Trek first, not sorority stuff. I miss the days when the internet belonged to the nerds.

People are rightly angry at the murders of Good and Pretti, and the fact they're on video in broad daylight surely contributes, but there's no avoiding how little mention of Keith Porter there is.

And ICE has shot or otherwise killed non-citizens, who are no less deserving of attention.

Worth emphasizing that this is in THE ECONOMIST, the official magazine of capitalism

imagine if all that money had gone to teachers instead

guys should I have a third cup of coffee

The first one that came to mind is The Witch of Blackbird Pond. But there are so many!

Oh, boy! It's that time of year!

But also it would be really cool if Synergy could make me a report to compare test grades...hmmmm...

We have a grading day today, and I entered all my mid-unit math test grades and then I was looking over the grades and comparing them to the last unit test and the gradebook LOGGED ME OUT right in front of me! The nerve...

Hi, I’m a 2nd/3rd gr teacher in SC . This is not a Back to school, Valentine’s wishlist or seasonal request. This is a need request. Children need food. Hungry children have difficulty learning in school . Please help me restock our food pantry. Thank you www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...

US teachers, I hope you're enjoying your day off! My school also has a grading day on Friday, so I'm looking forward to a li'l 3-day week with students this week.

I am NOT a bulletin board person, but I am going down to die-cut some letters. Hold me.

We were granted a non-student day today for prep purposes. Yay!

I spent the first couple of hours prepping for an MTSS meeting (and the meeting will be this afternoon). Boo!

Realizing that I have 5 students who really benefit from 1-1 attention. Or 1-2 or 1-3. They actually do work in that setting.

Trying to balance fun holiday lessons with need for makeup assessments (lots of absences lately). I think I was successful - but small groups today were a group of one, two groups of three, and a group of 5, which startled the children.

I read this one, too, and it is fantastic!

I am reading this RIGHT NOW and am not sure how I feel about it, but I can see the appeal. Probably would have loved this as a child; I remember enjoying more than one story about dolls/toys coming to life.