I was driving south on the I-95 to a performance. It became apparent that a funeral procession was next to me on my left side. As I approached the hearse, I bowed my head and crossed my arms out of respect. This isn't something that I have done before. The [...]
I had a job yesterday. It was a beautiful couple. After I returned home, I unloaded and ran to Publix. In an effort to save money, I cooked my dinner. Sleep found me soon. Little Birdie did not get his night time towel. My morning began at the beach and [...]
At this point in the game, I can tell you that remaining in education is asking to cast in the role of a victim. When a student does something wrong, the parent questions you as if you are at fault for the child's actions. Constant hovering suddenly occurs along with [...]
After twenty plus years in the classroom, I turned in the keys to my room for good. I couldn't even finish the year. It had become unbearable. Double classes, disrespectful students, entitled parents, increased expectations, and poor compensation in a post pandemic era had finally taken its toll. The one [...]
As the school year began, I knew that the writing was on the wall. My principal was set to retire at the end of the school year. In my heart, I knew that I could not serve under another principal. This is the boss that hired me into the system [...]
The nurse tended to me with such attention and care. She paused when she sensed my nervousness and waited for the uncomfortable moment to pass. The amount of questions that I had to answer was unreal. All of the people in the hospital began milling around at 5:30am. Security guards, [...]
Ladies, can we talk about how much stress is placed on black women in the work place? I’ll go first. A younger teacher assumed that I was a paraprofessional because I am black. There are quite a few that work at this Latin school. She asked me if I was [...]
It was a Thursday night. The lounge singer was performing in Overtown. It was my chance to get out for a while and breathe. I invited a colleague to meet me there. It was outside behind the restaurant. The boom of a band embraced my ears as I approached the [...]
11.5.21 Good morning. How are you doing? Yesterday, a predominantly white choral ensemble came to present at the predominantly Latin school where I teach. They had the children performing different actions to a spiritual. I shared the story with other black people and everyone was offended. I contacted the education [...]
For the last two weeks, I have been struggling. I have not felt like myself. A trip to urgent care revealed a small bout with pneumonia. I do not have the virus but the mighty p word was not something that I ever thought would be in the same sentence [...]