Category: Uncategorized

• Designing for Redemption: Rethinking Grading and Growth in the Classroom

  Jul 27

  There’s something profoundly human about allowing a student the chance to redeem themselves—but redemption can’t be accidental or symbolic. It must be deliberately built into how we teach, assess, and… more ›

• Built By Hand

  Jul 20

  There’s something to be said about working with your hands. The whole DIY thing—patching a leaky faucet, sanding down a splintered door, fixing the fence before it falls over—doesn’t get… more ›

• Sunsets in the Valley

  Jul 19

  I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it—there’s nothing quite like a sunset in the Imperial Valley. Clouds or clear skies, summer heat or winter chill—it doesn’t matter. The… more ›

• More Than Words: How Quotes Spark Conversation and Learning

  Jul 17

  There’s something powerful about a well-timed quote. Maybe it’s a line from a movie that lingers long after the credits roll, or a phrase that echoes from history books. Quotes… more ›

• More Than Just a Writing Lesson…

  Jul 17

  As a teacher, I made sure my students wrote every single day. It didn’t matter what subject I taught, or how much they wrote. What mattered was the act itself… more ›

• Echoes of Our Heritage

  Jul 17

  Some of my favorite memories aren’t found on big stages or at fancy events. They’re in backyards — folding chairs circling around a grill, kids chasing each other barefoot on… more ›

• Coloring Inside the Lines… and Knowing When to Go Beyond Them

  Jul 17

  “Color inside the lines.” It’s one of the earliest rules we give children when they’re learning how to draw. And in many ways, it reflects a larger idea in how… more ›

• Start with the Right Question: A Reflection on School Discipline and Parental Support

  Jul 17

  It’s never easy getting called into school because of your child’s behavior. As a parent, it can feel frustrating, embarrassing, or even unfair. But in those moments, the most powerful… more ›

• Our Shared Path, Our Individual Journey

  Jul 15

  There’s a quiet truth we all live with — one we may not often voice, but feel deeply in our moments of reflection: While we may share a path with… more ›

• Why Inkblotz?

  Jul 15

  Yesterday, as I was reviewing notes and drafts for future blog posts, my daughter came up to me and asked, “Whatcha doin’, Dad?” I answered simply, “Reviewing posts for my… more ›

• Solitude: Why It Matters and How It Helps

  Jul 14

  In a world that glorifies hustle, noise, and constant connection, solitude can seem countercultural—even suspect. But stepping away from the noise isn’t an escape; it’s an intentional return. Solitude is… more ›

• Digital Exile: The Silent Epidemic of Disconnection

  Jul 1

  In a time when connection is just a tap away, an invisible epidemic is growing—especially among young people in underserved communities. It’s not caused by disease or disaster, but by… more ›

• The Line Most Beautiful

  Jun 30

  As an art student many years ago, I became captivated by portraiture—not just the structure of the face, but the subtleties that make each human being unique. Over years of… more ›

• The Crossroads

  Jun 13

  There comes a time in every person’s life when they stand at a crossroads — a moment that demands not just any decision, but the decision. One that will alter… more ›

• A Simple Reflection.

  Jun 12

  I don’t often share personal matters or air out my issues on social media. It’s just never felt like the right space for that—and honestly, I find it inappropriate to… more ›