The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is tomorrow. Is your child taking the exam? Are you wondering how you can help? Keep reading for tips! I have worked as a proctor for the SAT for many years, and I view the exam with an unusual, threefold perspective. As the mother of test-takers with very different learning styles, my two children have taken the test a total of six times. As a teacher, I am interested in seeing students perform well and preparing them for success. And, as a proctor, I aim to provide a comfortable testing environment for nervous teenagers who are often stressed out about the ..read more

I recently started playing Wordle. I'm hooked! It took me a while to get into it, though. When I would see my friends post colored squares on Facebook and comment about the difficulty of the day's word, I figured I would try it one day. But I was in no rush. Then, I started to notice that my first period class was so engaged in Wordle each morning that I had trouble getting their attention to start lessons. I couldn't beat 'em, so I decided to join them.  My students walked me through the process of trying to guess the word of the day. Start by placing a random, five-letter word in ..read more

It's been a week since the mask mandate was lifted at the high school where I work and where my teenage daughter attends. On the first mask-optional day, I announced to my students that I would be wearing a mask but that I was totally fine with whatever they decided to do. I would neither judge or make assumptions. I meant it.  Here are the three main reasons why I'm still wearing a mask to school. 1. I have not had a cold in more than two years. And I'm one of those people who typically catches a cold at least twice a year. I'm convinced that the mask (along with my other heightened san ..read more

My eleventh grader needs to earn some community service hours. She needs them to stay active in several honor societies. Plus, she needs them to be competitive among her peers this fall when she begins applying to colleges and for scholarships. In a 2018 Forbes article, writer Derek Newton reported on a survey of college admissions officers and the value they place on community service.  "Fortunately, a new survey of college admissions officers and staff shows that targeted community service may be a shortcut to scoring college admission or serve as a powerful tie-breaker am ..read more

I wouldn't consider myself a cheese lover. But I do like cheese, especially on pizza and macaroni and cheese and pasta and gouda on crackers and cheesecake and ... Ok, maybe I am a cheese lover! Today is National Cheese Lover's Day. In recognition of this arguably insignificant but quirky day, I am sharing a poem I wrote a few years back. It's about the first cheese I actually remember. Those cardboard boxes had a special spot in our refrigerator! Comment below with your favorite cheese memory! Interested in the history of government cheese? Check out this article at History.com:   ..read more

Earlier this month, we lost the physical presence of a great intellectual, bell hooks.  bell hooks - Photo courtesy of Berea College I had two memorable encounters with this amazing woman. The first happened while working at UMass Boston. The second was at Goucher College. Prior to teaching, I worked in public relations at several organizations. These positions afforded me opportunities to meet and listen to some phenomenal thinkers, scholars and entertainers. At UMass Boston in 1998, hooks had visited the university to discuss Brazilian educator Paulo Freire. I covered the ev ..read more

I recently wrote an article titled "How to Teach World Language Vocabulary with Flashcards: The “Old-School” Strategy Still Works." The post prompted me to think about how I approach vocabulary learning in my own home and what I can do to help build my own children's vocabulary. Back in the Day When I was a kid, the dictionary sucked me in -- kind of like the way video reels on social media hook our children today. We always had a good dictionary in the house. And by "good" I mean a huge, unabridged beast of a book that was too doggone heavy to carry around. It rarely moved from its place on ..read more

My 11th grader recently took the SAT for a second time. Her older sister, a college sophomore, took the test four times in high school. As a frequent proctor for the Saturday-morning exam, I view the SAT with an unusual, trifold perspective: as the mother of test-takers with very different learning styles; as a teacher interested in seeing students perform well; and as a proctor hoping to provide a comfortable testing environment for nervous teenagers who are often stressed out about the test. Getting your high schooler ready for the SAT can easily feel overwhelming for a parent. Many of us ..read more

My 17-year-old and I recently traveled to Raleigh, N.C., for a soccer tournament. The event was a college showcase and welcomed high-school girls and college coaches from all around the country. Many of the participants arrived by plane or drove hours and hours. While our 300-mile trek paled in comparison to that of many others, the trip was a big deal to me. I did not love the idea of missing school, but I looked forward to bonding and exploring with my daughter on a journey to a new place. For many teachers, the thought of taking time off is dreadful. First, there are the “sub plans.” Crea ..read more

Mom is an educated, book lover who has a knack for language.       Daughter is a talented artist who creates jaw-dropping images.  Yes, I'm biased.  L. Martin (mom) is my big sister. Her daughter, Saayidah, is one of several talented ladies who call me "aunt." This summer, mother and daughter pooled their talents and time to create activity books that celebrate diversity and Black culture. If you're looking for coloring and puzzle experiences that embrace African-American culture, grab yourself a copy. As a matter of fact, grab a copy of each!  Have you ..read more