Some call me "Flem"

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I'm an elementary school teacher turned high school English teacher, School-Based Teacher Leader (SBTL), and adjunct professor here in Philly. These posts are the views, as I see them, from room 105, my first classroom number. Enjoy, engage, and share!

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

"I'm surprised you celebrate Black History Month"

That's what a newer student to the class recently said to me. My reply, nearly verbatim...

"Don't be! Have I just started talking up everything Black? That's the lens I teach from and that's not going away. Look around the room. This month was the brain child of a Black man and was originally a week. In the 70s, the month-long observance began. I do Black 24/7/365; February is razzle dazzle month! In fact, write this name down...Carter G. Woodson..."

Monday, January 17, 2022

Happy 5th Year Adjunct-versary to me

Five years ago, tonight, I started my journey as an adjunct professor of reading at Delaware County Community College. When I got home that night, I reflected briefly. Here's what I wrote and here's to additional years and loftier goals.๐Ÿ‘€


Here in 2022, there is a much longer reflection that I can pen. I've learned so much about myself, about post-secondary education, about working with those whose first language isn't English, and more. Stay tuned.


Saturday, January 8, 2022

Four Black-centric Youth Podcast Episodes

For a second school year, I've been podcasting with my students. This year, we've recorded four Black-centric episodes. We didn't intend to focus 80% of this year's episodes, so far, on race, but it is what it is and we're here for it!

Engage. Listen. Like. Rate. Comment. Share. Subscribe on your podcast app. Hit us up @BEOYouth on Twitter and Instagram.

A Conversation with Ms. Lee ๐ŸŽคMs. Lee was a student at Barratt Junior High School, here in Philly, when Dr. King spoke there. The class got a chance to speak with her about the experience.

"Black-on-Black" Crime When Talking Police Brutality? ๐ŸŽคThe question was, "Is it fair to bring up "Black-on-Black" crime in a conversation on police brutality [towards Black people]?"

Tulsa Race Massacre and Black Wall Street: One-on-One with Nahjae ๐ŸŽคFor her senior project, Nahjae wanted to present on a topic that she hadn't learned in school. She summarizes her learning here.

Who can(not) say n*gga? ๐ŸŽค3 friends, two of whom are Black and one mixed-race, have a very frank conversation with each other about who can and cannot, or should not, use the n-word.