Teach With April

 The Unseen Architect: Navigating S.C.W.A.A.M.P. and the Hidden Curriculum in "Contexts of Schooling" By April Federico      Reflecting on the semester in Contexts of Schooling, several core concepts have profoundly reshaped my understanding of the educator's role within a complex social system . One of the most significant shifts in my perspective came from engaging with Alfie Kohn’s work, specifically "What to Look for in a Classroom." Prior to this course, I often associated a "good" classroom with quiet, orderly compliance. However, Kohn’s framework challenged me to look deeper, seeking out evidence of student agency, curiosity, and collaborative problem-solving. It taught me that a truly equitable classroom is one where students are active participants in their own learning journey, making meaningful choices rather than simply following a rigid script. This shift is essential because it moves the focus from teacher control to student empowerment,...

 Sex and Gender-Based Systems | Engaging Conversations About Gender By April Federico      Watching Woke Read Alouds: It Feels Good to Be Yourself , I was really struck by how Ki keeps young learners engaged in such an intentional and developmentally appropriate way. What stood out to me most was how they invited children into the read-aloud instead of simply reading to them. By asking students to repeat words like transgender and anatomy , Ki helps make vocabulary that may initially seem unfamiliar feel less intimidating and more accessible. I also noticed how strong the literacy foundation was from the very beginning. Before even starting the story, Ki introduces key book concepts like the author, illustrator, and even the spine of the book.      This especially resonated with me because during my observation in a second grade classroom, I had to explicitly teach students what an author is, what an illustrator does, and what an illustration means. ...

 "What is Neurodiversity?" By Caroline Miller | Viewing Neurodiversity As An  "Asset" By April Federico     Based on the article from the Child Mind Institute, the neurodiversity movement reframes neurological differences not as deficits to be cured , but as valuable variations of the human experience. This perspective strongly resonates with my own experience working in special education, where I witnessed firsthand that many students labeled as “behind” or “difficult” were often some of the most creative, insightful, and innovative thinkers in the classroom when given the right support. The argument that neurodiversity is an asset rather than a setback rests on three primary ideas: inherent cognitive strengths, the importance of inclusive environments, and the development of a strength-based identity.      Rather than viewing conditions such as ADHD or autism as purely restrictive, the neurodiversity framework emphasizes the unique cognitive adv...

 My "Troublemaker" By April Federico     My "canary in the coalmine" has to be Josh, in Mrs. Marroquin's class where I do my observation hours for this class. However, there are several "troublemakers" in that class to the point where Mrs. Marroquin has to do the "tree pose" with them, which would be much easier than putting a canary to sleep with toxins from a coalmine. But, if I had to choose a single canary, it would be Josh. Josh, from the very beginning, sat in the back, alone. He was constantly talking to EJ and he was profusely making faces to the point where Mrs. Marroquin threatened to send him to the principal's office. I remember making a "side note" while reading the class a story about food from other cultures, saying "Ms. F knows the making of pasta sauce all to well because I'm half-Italian!" And somehow my eyes met his, and he made a face. But here's the thing: is he doing it to be funny? To cop...