"My job is to teach about the ways race impacts my students. Sometimes, however, I just need to listen. Sitting in silence doesn’t send a message of indifference or complicity. It means that I am acknowledging the pain of my students and allowing them the time to reflect and advocate on behalf of themselves."

"Giving new teachers more space and experience to develop under the guidance of expert mentor teachers in a variety of classrooms supports their ultimate success. Successful new teachers are better for our students and for our schools."

"As I listened to them, I realized that they needed a safe space to decompress, to speak their truths, and to acknowledge how difficult life is right now. Together, we took a moment to breathe and embrace the messiness of life under the pandemic."