If teachers publicly sharing the toll the profession has taken on their mental health bothers you, you are a part of the problem.

Just wrapped up my last in-person class of the semester — which also means I’ve officially completed all of my required coursework (I could cry!)! Next up: externship, comps, and then dissertation. I’m in the home stretch! 🥳 VCU #docstudent 💛🖤

Had an amazing time being a running buddy for #GirlsOnTheRun today. It’s incredible to see these girls crush their goals and build confidence. #PocaPreK5 #RunWithPurpose #EmpowerGirls

Yesterday was my last official day at Poca after 10 amazing years. I’m stepping away for a year to focus on my doctorate and family. Grateful for every student, friend, and especially the sweetest class that helped me close this chapter. Year 21 was a special one. #PocaPreK5

Kicked off summer with dinner and a show. Love that the theater is right in the heart of VCU’s campus, and I can show off my school to my best little buddy!

Doug Lemov EducationHQ AU So when someone claims “the science says,” it’s worth asking: Which science? Under what conditions? With whom? At what scale and time frame? And how was it measured? Science is a lens, not a law. And education is too human to have true absolutes.

Successful presentation (Session 1. Connecting Literacy Research, Policy, and Practice in PK-12 Schools) w/ Candace Bechtold at the 2025 MERC Summit! RichmondMERC VCU School of Education

In this week’s blog, I express my concerns about the current state of the reading field. Many of my fellow teachers are leaving the field, and many others are expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. According to a recent poll, this is especially true of the

Give your students the gift of reading with Book Clubs. 💗

Forever grateful for the year that brought this beautiful team of teachers together. Teaching is a sisterhood, for sure. 💕

CogSci gives us maybe 50% of the picture of how we learn. The rest? Neuroscience, sociology, anthropology, pedagogy, psychology, and the lived experiences of learners. Follow all the science.

No more songs about heartbreak, unless they’re fictional! #swiftie #Ilovelove! 💕

A pretty Powhatan sky at the bus stop this morning. 💕 #harvestmoon

Successfully defended my comprehensive exam paper this morning! So, in the wise words of one of my favorite Parks and Rec episodes, it’s time to “treat yo’ self” (ahem, myself 🤪) with a stop at Jeni’s Ice Cream! VCU

No matter how you voted, it’s a historic day for women in the state of Virginia. 💙♥️

The testimonies were absolutely heart wrenching. Though she deserves all 40 million, I am so relieved justice was served. #AbbyZwerner #teachersdeservemore

Two successful presentations today at LRA. Loved sharing our work and connecting with other educators who share our passion for literacy. Proud to represent VCU and all the great work being done to advance the field! 📚

Successfully defended my dissertation prospectus today. I’m one GIANT step closer to the finish line! 🥳🖤💛

This article provides some interesting talking points re: “productive struggle” in math instruction. Though reading is my PhD focus, there are many parallels in math instruction that I find interesting and worthy of discussion.

It doesn’t get better than Colby Sharp! Listening to him speak brings me SO. MUCH. JOY! Virginia State Literacy Association #fangirl