As we start the new semester at HSHMC, a topic of conversation is always, how are we connecting with our students and our families? As we move into marking a year next month in on-line only instruction, this question we ask ourselves is more important than ever. How do we not only connect with our…
Author: Janet Ilko
The Hills We Climb Together
HSHMC English 4 A Response to the Poetry of Amanda Gorman We watched together the poet laureate Amanda Gorman read her powerful words at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. So many firsts this past week, a woman as vice-president in the White House, a woman of color that my…
Behind the Text is the message: You Matter.
One of the key ways I connect with my students is through text. I know that many teacher leaders would not feel comfortable texting their students. Texting students evolved as my role changed from classroom teacher to Independent Studies program manager, and now a literacy support coach for students. It simply is a more direct…
The Power of Listening
We started a digital writing club this past month at my school. I have been trying to find ways to engage students and amplify the work they are doing. My partnership with YouthVoices and the National Writing Project has been a saving grace during this year of digital teaching. I wanted to invite more students…
New Year New Challenges
If we had the impression that 2021 was going to erase the chaos and uncertainty of 2020, this first week has demonstrated that it will take more than wishes, intentions and prayers to change our world. It will take each of us to reflect on the past and step up to make real change if…
The Last Sunday Morning of 2020
Maybe now more than ever morning routines matter. Over the past 10 months since this whole pandemic started I have learned the importance of routine in my life. When the stay-at-home orders first hit in March, which now seems like a lifetime ago, I figured this would last maybe a month, or two at the…
COVID Christmas
Our world stopped about 2 weeks before Christmas, my daughter caught COVID, despite our careful mask-wearing and distancing, and working from home, it came to our family. Honestly, I haven’t been so scared in my life for my daughter and for the health of our family. But we learned a lot over these past few…
My Mailbox is Full
It is Hanukkah this week, and my home is filled with menorahs, white lights, and candles. I am reminded once again, is it isn’t the things that make the holidays, it is the people we share them with. I have all the recipes out, the decorations up, but it just doesn’t feel the same. It…
Creating Spaces
Day 265 We were told today that most likely we are doing into further shutdown, a new stay at home order. We haven’t had that in months, yet here we are again. The COVID numbers are skyrocketing, and although many people get this virus and do ok, many people end up in the hospital and…
Today Is Pie Day
Thanksgiving is going to be very different this year, less people on the couch watching football and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Like everything this year, things are trying to exist, with modifications. The parade will happen, with fewer entries and no spectators. That is still on my bucket list, seeing that parade live and…