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First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others thinking and writing about public education.

My ACE score reflects my history of trauma. It also connects me to my students.
FROM chalkbeat National
My ACE score reflects my history of trauma. It also connects me to my students.

As a school psychologist, I help young people facing hardships. My own upbringing offers perspective.

By 
Brittany Lewno-Dumdie
 | May 8
I am many things, from many places. That’s something to celebrate.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
I am many things, from many places. That’s something to celebrate.

Here’s what I wish I could say when someone asks, ‘Where are you from?’

By 
Ginger Roger Ceballos
 | May 5
I grew up in Harlem. A trip to Korea helped me understand the two cultures that shaped me.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
I grew up in Harlem. A trip to Korea helped me understand the two cultures that shaped me.

Harlem was home. Then a trip to Korea helped me understand the two cultures that shaped me.

By 
Oscar Scribner
 | April 18
Schools have an expanded role amid immigration crackdowns
FROM Chalkbeat New York
Schools have an expanded role amid immigration crackdowns

Kristin Cahill, a principal in New York City, reflects on a new role for schools in a changing society.

By 
Kristin Cahill
 | April 10
Here’s how teachers develop ‘eyes in the back of their head’
FROM Chalkbeat Indiana
Here’s how teachers develop ‘eyes in the back of their head’

Why do teachers seem to have eyes in the back of their heads? They’ve mastered the art of noticing.

By 
Ronak Shah
 | April 7
School libraries are literacy hubs. They are also safe havens.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
School libraries are literacy hubs. They are also safe havens.

School libraries have been an unfunded mandate in New York. Let’s change that, says student Salma Baksh.

By 
Salma Baksh
 | April 4
Did COVID change educators more than it changed students?
FROM chalkbeat National
Did COVID change educators more than it changed students?

Five years after the pandemic closed schools, some educators remain wistful for before times.

By 
Brandon McCoy
 | March 18
We can celebrate the 100th day of school without caricaturing centenarians
FROM chalkbeat National
We can celebrate the 100th day of school without caricaturing centenarians

It’s time to stop telling kids to ‘dress up like you’re 100.'

By 
Barbara Gottschalk
 | March 17
As a first-year teacher, I focused too much on getting my students to like me.
FROM chalkbeat National
As a first-year teacher, I focused too much on getting my students to like me.

I forgot what was important: getting the kids to learn and understand the material.

By 
Ivy Sage
 | March 14
5 years on, fights over COVID policy still cast a shadow over school boards
FROM chalkbeat National
5 years on, fights over COVID policy still cast a shadow over school boards

I led a school board through COVID. It took a toll on my mental health.

By 
Erika Cohen
 | March 12
My education research was canceled in the name of ‘government efficiency.’
FROM chalkbeat National
My education research was canceled in the name of ‘government efficiency.’

I study early childhood education. Defunding this research will have far-reaching effects.

By 
Jenn Finders
 | March 6
I’m a high school student who fled the war in Ukraine. I still miss home.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
I’m a high school student who fled the war in Ukraine. I still miss home.

It hurts to see the U.S. turn its back on my homeland.

By 
Arina Limarieva
 | March 6
I’m a principal. The Trump administration has changed the reality for school leaders like me.
FROM Chalkbeat Colorado
I’m a principal. The Trump administration has changed the reality for school leaders like me.

Changes out of Washington have only increased the degree of difficulty, writes Chris DeRemer.

By 
Chris DeRemer
 | February 21
Teaching English has gotten away from exploring literature. Here’s why that’s a problem.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
Teaching English has gotten away from exploring literature. Here’s why that’s a problem.

Reading passages cannot take the place of reading books.

By 
Daniel F. Levin
 | February 18
The manosphere: During COVID school closures, I found myself drawn to hateful online content
FROM Chalkbeat Detroit
The manosphere: During COVID school closures, I found myself drawn to hateful online content

At home during COVID school closures, I consumed misogynistic content in an endless loop. My brother walked me back from the brink.

By 
Bryan Campbell
 | February 12
As principal, I struggled with my mental health — and I’m not alone
FROM chalkbeat National
As principal, I struggled with my mental health — and I’m not alone

I want school leaders who are struggling with their mental health to know they are not alone.

By 
Wes Cottongim
 | February 6
It’s not enough to encourage ‘productive struggle.’ Many students need explicit instruction.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
It’s not enough to encourage ‘productive struggle.’ Many students need explicit instruction.

Learning doesn’t have to be student-driven to be student-centric.

By 
Jeremy Kaplan
 | January 31
The science of reading: Early childhood educators must be part of the conversation
FROM chalkbeat National
The science of reading: Early childhood educators must be part of the conversation

We teach foundational literacy skills. We just make it look like play.

By 
Alicia Simba
 | January 27
Trump is promising mass deportations. How can schools support undocumented families?
FROM chalkbeat National
Trump is promising mass deportations. How can schools support undocumented families?

In the second Trump era, educators consider what ‘sanctuary’ looks like in their schools and communities.

By 
Sophia Rodriguez
 | January 21
Chronic migraines took a toll on my schoolwork, attendance, and mental health
FROM Chalkbeat Detroit
Chronic migraines took a toll on my schoolwork, attendance, and mental health

Debilitating pain turned me into a student I didn’t recognize. Here’s how I got back on track.

By 
Bryan Campbell
 | January 17

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