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The Choice That Isn’t Mine

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Memorial Day: Remembering the Sacrifice Behind Our Freedom

Every year, Memorial Day arrives with cookouts, family gatherings, sales events, and the unofficial beginning of summer. For many people, especially younger generations, the meaning behind the holiday can sometimes get lost beneath the celebration. But Memorial Day is far more than a long weekend. It is a day of remembrance.A day of honor.A day set aside to recognize the men and women who…

Memorial Day: Remembering the Sacrifice Behind Our Freedom

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The Power of Student Portfolios

As the school year comes to an end, I often find myself reflecting on the students I taught in CIS, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A. This year’s students were bright, creative, thoughtful, and incredibly capable. Many of them could solve problems, explain concepts, and create projects at levels that honestly impressed me every day. But one of the most important lessons…

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A Mother’s Heart: Honoring Every Woman Who Has Loved, Guided, and Lifted a Child

Motherhood is one of the most beautiful callings in the world. It is not only found in biology, but in love, sacrifice, patience, wisdom, and the willingness to show up for someone else again and again. Today, we celebrate not only mothers, but also grandmothers, aunties, sisters, godmothers, mentors, foster mothers, spiritual mothers, teachers, and every woman who has stepped into the role of…

A Mother’s Heart: Honoring Every Woman Who Has Loved, Guided, and Lifted a Child

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When Innovation Becomes a Threat: Why Educational Funding Matters

What public figure do you disagree with the most? There are certain public figures and political leaders I struggle to agree with, especially when their decisions affect education, technology, the arts, and the future opportunities available to students. As someone who has spent years teaching technology and helping students navigate the digital world, this issue is deeply personal to me. I…

When Innovation Becomes a Threat: Why Educational Funding Matters

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Trusting Your Own Process: A Different Approach to Goal-Setting

One thing I’ve realized about myself over the years is that I don’t approach goals the same way many people do. A lot of advice about success and productivity is built around speed: make a decision, set a deadline, create a checklist, and move. People talk about “just starting” as if action is always the answer. And while that approach works for some people, it has never fully worked for me. For…

Trusting Your Own Process: A Different Approach to Goal-Setting

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Why Kwanzaa Matters: Strengthening Community and Identity

Kwanzaa: Remembering Our Roots, Celebrating Our Spirit, Living Our Purpose Kwanzaa is more than a cultural celebration — it’s a connection point. A remembrance. A grounding. A coming home to who we are as African-descended people. Before history tried to rewrite our story, before trauma attempted to silence our voices, we were powerful, creative, spiritual, united, community-centered people.…

Why Kwanzaa Matters: Strengthening Community and Identity

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Breakthrough: The Moment You Didn’t See Coming but Refused to Quit

What’s your favorite word? There’s something profound about the idea of a breakthrough. It suggests that at some point, you were standing at a crossroads—unable to see your next move, perhaps even doubting whether there was one. It’s in those moments, when the path is unclear, that the strength of our character is truly tested. What do you do when you can’t see a way forward? Many people think…

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When Teaching Becomes Part of Who You Are

There are some people who teach because it’s a job. Then there are people who teach because it becomes part of who they are. Teaching became part of who I am a long time ago. Recently, after another interview and another rejection email, I found myself sitting quietly and thinking about why this process affects me so deeply. And the answer wasn’t because I doubted whether I could teach.…

When Teaching Becomes Part of Who You Are

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Why Kwanzaa Matters: Strengthening Community and Identity

Kwanzaa: Remembering Our Roots, Celebrating Our Spirit, Living Our Purpose Kwanzaa is more than a cultural celebration — it’s a connection point. A remembrance. A grounding. A coming home to who we are as African-descended people. Before history tried to rewrite our story, before trauma attempted to silence our voices, we were powerful, creative, spiritual, united, community-centered people.…

Why Kwanzaa Matters: Strengthening Community and Identity

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When the Devotional Hits Exactly Where You Are

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When Excellence Still Isn’t Enough — My Story, Our Reality

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Before You Dream Again: Finding the Purpose Beneath Your Vision

Every year around this time, we start to dream again. We gather magazines, photos, and quotes — ready to create a vision board that captures everything we hope for. New house. New car. New experiences. But sometimes, even after all that effort, something still feels missing. The board looks good, but the meaning feels thin. The energy fades by spring because deep down, we never truly connected…

Before You Dream Again: Finding the Purpose Beneath Your Vision

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Journaling: Why It’s More Than Just Paper

I’ve been journaling for a while now, and like many people, I’ve tried different notebooks—different colors, different brands, different styles. But there’s something about Archer & Olive that just feels right. The quality is unmatched. Their journals are more than just a place to write; they’re an experience, a tool that makes the practice of journaling feel intentional and worthwhile. For a…

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When Words Walk Ahead of Our Intentions

We recently had a crab fest at the house—my aunt, my cousin, Craig’s cousins—all gathered around the table with food, laughter, and plenty of conversation. Our dog, Flo, was in her element. She loves company, and everyone gave her plenty of attention. At one point, Craig’s cousin Brian stepped away from the table. Flo saw the open space and made herself comfortable right there, stretched out…

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When Going Out Feels Like Climbing a Mountain (And How to Really Help Someone Like Me)

This morning I sat in my in my bed staring at my walker. The strap was dangling down, broken, like it was mocking me. My hair was a tangled mess. The clothes in my closet looked just as untouched as they had for days. I thought about the plans I said “yes” to earlier in the week — and I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. Here’s the truth most people don’t see: I can say “yes” to plans, promise I’ll…

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