By Jessa Reed This is a flash post that is part of the Tales from the First Year series. Tales from the First Year chronicles the journeys of seven first-year teachers as they navigate the trials, tribulations, and celebrations that come with the first year of teaching. I never expected to care so much about a Halloween costume. I didn’t quite understand my teammates’ insistence that we find a four-pronged theme: north, south, east, west. The three little pigs and the big bad

"The more awakened people get, the more awareness they get, the more people can name it." - Dr. Aaron Griffen on diversity and inclusion.

When looking for new books, ask yourself: can my students see themselves in this book? Do they learn about someone different from them?

Creative problem solving occurs when students are applying their previous skills to new situations or solving old problems in new ways.

"While basic measures of academic proficiency are necessary to understanding readiness, they are insufficient."

Regardless of what your personal experience in math and science might have been...don't let that be the definer of STEM in your life.