Congratulations to the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Víctor Gómez! Your passion and impact inspire us all. We also celebrate the full ISTOY cohort—an extraordinary group of changemakers representing the very best of Illinois education. Thank you for all you do! 🧵

Bloomington residents discover the one event Dan Brady won't show up to.

For the last 8 years.

Do it with intention.

A7. Make it more than a month. Make celebrating black innovation & inspiration (past, present, & future) part of your classroom culture throughout the whole school year. #T2Tchat #EduSky

THIS! It is not our job to help them reach OUR dreams — which often center on grades and graduation; it is our job to nurture theirs! The grades will fall into place once you do that!

A6: I believe them. If they tell me their dreams, I believe them. It’s that simple. I used to approach this so incorrectly. I thought showing my degrees would inspire them, when really it drove a wedge between some of them. Find the thing that makes them sprout, and water it. #T2Tchat

One of the most powerful videos I’ve watched recently is Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience. I posted about it recently. It’s outstanding and inspiring. www.pbs.org/video/forgin...

A4: I think Black students are hyper aware of how society views them. Schools must affirm that we view them as more than a month, more than a costume, and more than a lesson. Black voices should be apart of the decision-making, curriculum, and student advocacy/leadership of the school. #T2Tchat

This level of prep will help ensure that you know which sites students are using rather than sending them on a time-wasting hunt for info. Please don’t send students to search Google willy-nilly; it’s not wise or safe. Here's a few resources to support your work: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

It’s not too late to join us!

A2: One way I make sure students see themselves represented in my classroom year-round is making sure the texts truly sees them as THEY feel seen. While our struggles may be similar, it’s unfair for me (and authors) to assume our lived experiences are! #T2Tchat

A2. One way I make sure students see themselves represented in my classroom year-round is through the literature I incorporate in my curriculum. It is so powerful for my students to see themselves reflected in the books available to them in my room and taught in my class. #t2tchat #EduSky

A1: I teach special education junior lit/comp! In Lit, we’ve been exploring the American Dream. Rather than focus on the 1920s/Gatsby, I’ve had students track the pursuit of the Dream over the last century from different diverse perspectives! #T2Tchat

Hi everyone! Thank you for joining tonight’s #T2Tchat on elevating Black history beyond February! @abpaul3.bsky.social and I will be moderating, and we are excited to be here! #T2Tchat

What's on the agenda tonight? 🗓️ We hope it's joining our Bluesky #T2Tchat! Moderators @teachwitht.bsky.social and @abpaul3.bsky.social will lead an exchange of ideas for honoring Black history this month and all year long!

Wondering how teachers like you honor Black History Month with students? Get some new ideas – and build your #Edusky PLN – in Thursday's #T2Tchat moderated by @teachwitht.bsky.social and @abpaul3.bsky.social

Number of shootings at schools within the United States: 2000: 31 2001: 26 2002: 19 2003: 34 2004: 35 2005: 52 2006: 59 2007: 46 2008: 37 2009: 32 2010: 15 2011: 16 2012: 20 2013: 34 2014: 47 2015: 41 2016: 50 2017: 60 2018: 119 2019: 124 2020: 116 2021: 257 2022: 308 2023: 349 2024: 330 2025: 1

I’m getting SO much better at not saying yes all of the time!

This was in heavy rotation during 2024!

- Published a book of poems - Ran for a state teacher Union position (and won) - Got to tour where the Constitution was signed - Finished my doctoral degree - Said no without feeling guilty - Explored new music artists - Attempted a boundary between work and home (failed) - Coached with intention

I need y'all to accept that they know the true history of Country music, much like everything else. The best way to celebrate your favorite artist is to enjoy the art, without going into a history of Country's origins, every single time. Let them ppl be mad & age from their hatred & jealousy.

Turn this up!!

Want to be added to our #BlackEduSky starter pack? Post to @phonisha.bsky.social to be added. 🗣️ We're growing ✊🏾 go.bsky.app/R1Fhqjw