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There was a time—not long ago—when teaching was built on short readings and long conversations. Classrooms echoed with curiosity. Students asked questions. Teachers asked even more.And the best days? The ones when we didn’t rush to answers. Yes, there was… more ›
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I am tired…. …of being strong. …of feeling sad. …of not having answers. …of needing a break. …of this continuing heat. …of not enough sleep. …of feeling tired. But, I am grateful, and thankful… …that I am alive. …for my… more ›
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Over the course of my life, and career as an educator, I’ve been asked these questions more than once.I remember one time clearly—it was during a workshop on student resilience. Another time, it came up in a leadership meeting. We… more ›
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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 the credit it used to. These skills were once passed… more ›
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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 sky catches fire, the desert exhales, and for a few… more ›
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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 carry weight — and in the classroom, they carry possibility.… more ›
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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 — showing up to the page. Every class began the… more ›
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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 the grass, elders sitting in the shade telling stories that… more ›
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It all starts with a question — and not just any question. Not the kind that seeks the right answer. Not the kind that checks for recall or makes sure the reading was done. But the kind of question that… more ›
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While flipping through an old journal, I came across a question I once jotted down — likely something I heard at a conference: “What is your best classroom management trick?” I smiled when I read it, because I remember my… more ›
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Today, as I was accepting invitations to the annual professional development opportunities offered to educators at the start of each school year, I remembered a quote I heard at one of these “PD days” a few years back — and… more ›
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“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 we’ve traditionally approached learning: follow directions, stay within the structure,… more ›
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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 and productive question a parent can ask is: “What can… more ›
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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 others, our journeys are a uniquely individual experience. Life often… more ›
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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 blog.” She paused for a moment, then asked, “You have… more ›
Mariano Velez
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