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"'Are you excited for Hispanic Heritage month?' someone asked. My overactive frontalis muscles must have engaged, because they seemed put off when I didn’t jump for joy. I went to the only other Latina in the school—the Spanish teacher—and asked, 'Que es y como van a celebrar Hispanic Heritage Month?' She explained that it was a month running from mid-September through October that had been designated to highlight the accomplishments of 'Hispanics' in the United States and that she would be throwing a fiesta. It felt insufficient, inadequate, and simplistic." In this month's blog post, our Director of Operations, Yalitza LaFontaine Delgado reflects on her relationship with Hispanic Heritage Month and the experiences that taught her what it actually entails. Follow along on the journey that led her to becoming an educator who centers the voices of those who have been silenced and marginalized. 

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Max Margolius as TransformEd’s Director of Research & Learning. In this role, Max serves as a bridge between research and practice to ensure that all of our work is infused with and informed by research on whole child development and the science of learning.

Critical Race Theory Last week, I traveled by plane for the first time since February 2020 when the global health crisis was expanding. Now, we find ourselves facing more uncertainty with the rise in infections. As I reflect on this current reality, as an antiracist educator I am faced with the fact that we live in a country that is governed by laws, many of which were enacted to right the wrongs of the past, and our actions as citizens are guided by our freedom to choose and freedom to be. The laws that govern our country are subject to the shifts and changes of each generation. They are guided by the sociopolitical reality of the time, and are often enacted to meet the perceived needs of those with political power.

The importance and benefits of self-care are relevant to every profession, but the act itself can be more stigmatized within caregiving careers. In the education space, for example, there is a common misconception that practicing self-care is a selfish or self-indulgent act, when in reality educators practicing self-care can be in the best interest of everyone in a classroom. Educators frequently put the needs of their students first, while placing their own well-being second. The summer presents an opportunity to restore balance and energy.

During the 2020-21 school year, we brought schools and districts together to collectively navigate the complexities of schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we're thankful to be shifting further away from high alert pandemic status, we know schools are still left trying to figure out how to press the reset button on a collectively traumatizing experience. This year, more than ever, it's critical to start the school year right. Our team has been working to design an experience for educators and school leaders that gives school teams space to thoughtfully collaborate and plan for reopening your doors for the 2021-2022 school year.