Presents and Prejudice
Earlier this week, for the first time ever, one of my students asked me why I decided to be a teacher. Adults ask me all the time but never a […]
Educator Discussion Series Dialogue
Pre and Post Event Dialogue – Using Children’s Literature to Provoke Conversations
PREFACE: Education by itself cannot eliminate prejudice or injustice. If you observe children at play, they quickly reveal many of their stereotypes. “Old people are weak” “He’s in a wheelchair,
Changing Hearts to Change Behaviors: A Charlottesville Response
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″ text_font=”Times New Roman||||” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” content__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” content_last_edited=”off|desktop”] As we saw in reports from Charlottesville and other cities around the U.S.
What we do, and what we say matters!
It was 15 years ago this August when I was sitting at a table with my parents and their friends at some function I probably didn’t even want to attend. I
“Do you believe in Black Lives Matter?”
Students in Hilltop’s after-school program asked this question – of their teachers and their friends – repeatedly this year. Mostly those inquiring were black students. They had heard about Black Lives Matter on the news, and noticed how educators and students in our local Seattle Public Schools were supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. The kids wanted to support the movement too, and wanted to know how Black Lives Matter was supported at Hilltop. They took action one afternoon by making their own Black Lives Matter signs.
Authentic Literacy Learning
The key to developing literacy is a love of reading that is best stimulated by frequent exposure to letters and books. Reading activities that are forced on children can transform a delight into work. It is best to follow a child’s lead in when, what, and how they want to engage with books and letters, while still offering them ample opportunities in various contexts.
Reciprocal Influence
Each time a group of visitors comes to Hilltop, we get to hear their experiences, and their impressions of Hilltop, and we get a glimpse of ourselves through fresh eyes. We had a particularly poignant and revealing visit, recently, with a group of educators working in the Residential Parenting Program at the Washington Corrections Center for Women.
Educator Discussion Series Dialogue
Active Body Brain Connection – Pre and Post Event Dialogue
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://hilltopcc.com/hilltop-draft-de/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/EDS-photo.png” alt=”Children Playing Around A Desk. One
Mindful Toddlers
I don’t meditate, but I want to be the type of person that does. As a classroom teacher of three-year-olds, I’ve looked for ways to help the group calm down, connect with their bodies, and learn self-soothing skills. But how do I get a three-year-old to meditate, especially when I’m not a practitioner myself?
Educator Discussion Series Dialogue
Learning Stories – Pre and Post Event Dialogue
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://hilltopcc.com/hilltop-draft-de/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/EDS-photo.png” alt=”Children Playing Around A Desk. One