That’s right, call me crazy, but students need more recess, more choices, and less homework. — For years, politicians and our society have pushed for constrictive education — more standardized tests, more homework, more rigidity. Why? When I was a classroom teacher, I saw with my own eyes that this does not work. Something isn’t working. I’m speaking for elementary-aged children because that’s where my experience…

When you need a good pick-me-up, have these positive affirmations in your back pocket. — Life gets messy. A lot. This is where positive affirmations can come into play and really make a huge and great difference. It’s somewhat amazing how other people’s words can really mean something to someone. I love a good quote. Having some handy-dandy positive affirmations in our back pocket to…

Traveling isn’t always what you see on Instagram. From being searched like a criminal at an airport to getting injured and going to a foreign hospital, I had my fair share of not-so-glamorous experiences when I spent a little over a year living in and traveling around South East Asia. …

Therapy? I have no time, no extra cash, and no problems. — Most people I know have been faced with, or need to be faced with, the question: do I need therapy? I no longer ask myself this because I know I need therapy. And, personally I think we all do. I Need Therapy Let me just list a few reasons why I think I…

After the pandemic, maybe I’ll stay in quarantine. Back in March, when the United States cared (or pretended to care) about Coronavirus, I was a little taken aback by the idea of quarantine. I wasn’t quite sure how things would play out, as I’m sure we all felt. …

Because happiness is success in itself… — I was a classroom teacher for five years and during this time I was regularly spat on and kicked by a 6-year-old one school year and was told to “deal with it.” I taught every subject to various academic levels with little resources, and my effectiveness was graded by scores…

The education system is racist. — I recently had a heated discussion with a family member who denies systemic racism. During this discussion, I presented him with an example: the United States’ education system is racist due to redlining at this very moment in time. While I can and did give him countless examples of how…

The number one question I get when I solo travel is if I’m scared. — A couple of years ago, I quit my terrible job and set off to another continent. It was my first time leaving the United States. I left and didn’t return for over a year. I would’ve stayed longer but my mom was fostering my dog while I was away and…