Connecting with each other and creating a caring classroom community - despite our physical distance - will make all the difference for us and our students this year.

In this issue, we offer you a guide for encouraging self-care in our students, a new lesson on voter suppression, and an activity that has students reflect on events in Kenosha. Plus, a blog on how centering Blackness in our classrooms this year can help ensure that every student is heard, seen, and respected.

We send warm wishes to you and your students this fall!

The year opens at a moment when many teachers are acutely aware of the need to listen to and encourage our Black, Indigenous and People of Color students – and ensure that their lives, viewpoints, history, and culture are reflected in what and how we teach. By blogger and staff developer Nicole Lavonne Smith.

The Power of Positive Self-Talk for Students

With awareness and practice, negative self-talk can be transformed to generate positive feelings and self-worth. Encourage your students to try these strategies for positive self-talk - from affirmations to gratitude practice.

Also, you can find our two latest webinars with AFT + Share My Lesson on demand now:

“Will this animate my students’ souls and enable joy? …When you create a space for genius, genius will show up.” - Gholdy Muhammad