Pilar's Place

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe                                               On July 10, 2023 NY Post writer Karol Markowicz wrote an opinion piece about NEA’s (National Educators Association) summer reading list for teachers. This writer claimed that the “summer reading selections aim to indoctrinate kids, not educate.” You can read that here if you choose: https://nypost.com/2023/07/10/the-national-education-associations-summer-reading-selections-aim-to-indoctrinate-kids-not-educate/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons From there, misinformation spread like wildfire as Commentator Tomi Lahren claimed the reading list was aimed at kids and specifically called out one of the books on the list, “ Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe , as being pornographic and used to groom and brainwash children. Cue in Tim Ballard, founder of Operation Underground Railroad. Tim and his organization try to combat human trafficking. It was on his Instagram page

 Apologies. I am late in posting. Time management has never been one of my strong suits, especially when dealing with ADD. But alas, I try and do the best I can.  Today is Febuary 23rd. I am 3 weeks late in posting about Black History Month. Though late, I have tried and continue to learn what I can about Black History and those involved with history. As a teacher of Black and Brown students in NYC, I owe it to my students to learn and understand. My school is generally good about helping and pushing all of us to be the best we can be for our students. The curriculum does not always allow for in depth studies. It would be nice if that changed. As hard as it is, I will hold out some hope for the future. With lack of incorporating into the curriculum, this is where the doors and bulletin board decorating comes into play for students to peruse and comment on.  Black History Month Celebrating Black Authors of middle school books. Past, Present & Future figures in Black History Celebrat

 Happy New Year!  It's been a very long time since I last posted (a little over 11 years.) It has been years of ups & downs. There has been a divorce, change of residence, part-time work in retail, Graduate School to obtain my teaching certification, a career change at 48 years old, children growing, fighting off poverty, fighting against toxic people and work environments, switching jobs, learning and unlearning, the death of a child and the rebuilding of my life. To say it's been a lot, is an understatement. But like a phoenix, I continue to rise. Today marks the first day to a new year. Today marks the day where I put this year's word, intention, into focus, while continuing with last year's word of manifest.  So, a stranger I will no longer be, as I give a glimpse into my life as I figure out what this life means to me and for me, with a child no longer in this life and another forging their own path in college.