Attended GSEAP's Diversity Lecture Series and Was Able to Support (and Applaud) CWP Teacher Esther Theodore

Year 3, Fairfield University's Diversity Lecture Series hosted by the Dean's Office brought another speaker to campus who studies teaching for social justice in schools. This year, it was Kevin Kumashiro, who discussed phases and trends in K-12 schooling with kind, gentle and logical grace. I look forward to reading his work someday and internalizing the scholarship (and hopefully action) behind the work.

I was delighted to see Esther Theodore, teacher and TESOL graduate student, on the panel to discuss her experiences as a classroom teacher, the realities of K-12 teaching, especially in support of English Language Learners, and her advocacy/support for the National Writing Project and CWP-Fairfield. Currently, she's doing an action research project based on her summer experience with CWP, the pro-democracy writing experiences she gained that summer, and the advocacy she hopes for her EALs in her urban district of Connecticut.

Travel to the special session proved to be difficult for Dr. Kumashiro, but we were graced with a ZOOM presentation. It is always good to support colleagues and their mission - in the words of Dr. K, education is never individualistic and always collaborative.

But this morning, I'm packing up and heading to Dallas for a very excited 4-day festival with young adult authors for the North Texas Teen Book Festival. I can't wait to work with so many writers I've yet to meet and learn about their expertise, books, and texts I can use in support of K-12 teachers.

Scholarship in action. Work on the ground. That is what is most important to me.