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First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others thinking and writing about public education.

As principal, I struggled with my mental health — and I’m not alone
FROM chalkbeat National
As principal, I struggled with my mental health — and I’m not alone

I want school leaders who are struggling with their mental health to know they are not alone.

By 
Wes Cottongim
 | February 6
It’s not enough to encourage ‘productive struggle.’ Many students need explicit instruction.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
It’s not enough to encourage ‘productive struggle.’ Many students need explicit instruction.

Learning doesn’t have to be student-driven to be student-centric.

By 
Jeremy Kaplan
 | January 31
The science of reading: Early childhood educators must be part of the conversation
FROM chalkbeat National
The science of reading: Early childhood educators must be part of the conversation

We teach foundational literacy skills. We just make it look like play.

By 
Alicia Simba
 | January 27
Trump is promising mass deportations. How can schools support undocumented families?
FROM chalkbeat National
Trump is promising mass deportations. How can schools support undocumented families?

In the second Trump era, educators consider what ‘sanctuary’ looks like in their schools and communities.

By 
Sophia Rodriguez
 | January 21
Chronic migraines took a toll on my schoolwork, attendance, and mental health
FROM Chalkbeat Detroit
Chronic migraines took a toll on my schoolwork, attendance, and mental health

Debilitating pain turned me into a student I didn’t recognize. Here’s how I got back on track.

By 
Bryan Campbell
 | January 17
America is facing an epidemic of loneliness. As a high school student, I can relate.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
America is facing an epidemic of loneliness. As a high school student, I can relate.

Post-COVID, fostering new friendships seemed like an impossible task.

By 
Awa Sangare
 | January 10
I am a boy who struggles with disordered eating and body image
FROM Chalkbeat New York
I am a boy who struggles with disordered eating and body image

After years of struggling with body image, I turned to crash dieting. It took a terrible toll.

By 
Ocean Lin
 | January 7
Teacher harassment is making headlines. Schools must finally take it seriously.
FROM Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Teacher harassment is making headlines. Schools must finally take it seriously.

I’ve endured student aggression throughout my decade in the classroom.

By 
Lydia Kulina-Washburn
 | December 23, 2024
This teacher was told to foster a politically neutral class. Now, she’s scared of ‘speaking truth.’
FROM Chalkbeat New York
This teacher was told to foster a politically neutral class. Now, she’s scared of ‘speaking truth.’

Here’s how I reassured teachers ‘fearful of speaking the truth.’

By 
David C. Bloomfield
 | December 23, 2024
Helping to lead a Spanish immersion school, I struggled to follow along in an unfamiliar language
FROM Chalkbeat Indiana
Helping to lead a Spanish immersion school, I struggled to follow along in an unfamiliar language

At Forest Glen, I learned that authentic, empathetic leadership can transcend language and cultural differences.

By 
David McGuire
 | December 20, 2024
In NYC, transferring high schools is an exercise in persistence
FROM Chalkbeat New York
In NYC, transferring high schools is an exercise in persistence

The transfer process was time-consuming and full of disappointment. It was worth it.

By 
Awa Sangare
 | December 18, 2024
Nikki Giovanni was a celebrated writer, poet, and one of my first Black teachers
FROM chalkbeat National
Nikki Giovanni was a celebrated writer, poet, and one of my first Black teachers

What the writer, who died this week at age 81, taught me about Mars, freedom dreaming, and the power of a good cry.

By 
Abigail Henry
 | December 13, 2024
I let my students choose how they wanted to be evaluated. With options, engagement and behavior improved.
FROM chalkbeat National
I let my students choose how they wanted to be evaluated. With options, engagement and behavior improved.

Options included journaling, lab work, and oral reports.

By 
John Dorroh
 | December 10, 2024
College was the furthest thing from my mind. This class changed that.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
College was the furthest thing from my mind. This class changed that.

Taking a college-level biology course while still in high school (and learning English) showed me a path forward.

By 
Adrian Guin Rizzo
 | December 6, 2024
How these August Wilson plays transformed my classroom
FROM Chalkbeat New York
How these August Wilson plays transformed my classroom

I was trying — and failing — to teach literature to teens. Then I discovered ‘The Piano Lesson’ and ‘Fences.’

By 
Tom Deignan
 | November 27, 2024
I lived in China until age 5. Returning to the U.S., I got to know my parents for the first time.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
I lived in China until age 5. Returning to the U.S., I got to know my parents for the first time.

My grandparents raised me as a ‘satellite baby’ in China. When I returned to NYC at age 5, I got to know my parents for the first time.

By 
Ocean Lin
 | November 20, 2024
I offer free online therapy to NYC teens. Here's what I'm seeing — and why it matters.
FROM Chalkbeat New York
I offer free online therapy to NYC teens. Here's what I'm seeing — and why it matters.

My Gen Z clients are digital natives who communicate effortlessly over text.

By 
Erin Mack
 | November 14, 2024
I grew up visiting my mom in prison. Here’s what I wish my school understood about kids like me.
FROM chalkbeat National
I grew up visiting my mom in prison. Here’s what I wish my school understood about kids like me.

One in 14 U.S. kids has had an incarcerated parent, but the experience can be surprisingly lonely.

By 
Anna Tovchigrechko
 | November 11, 2024
The economy, abortion access, and … book bans? Here’s what is driving young new voters this election
FROM chalkbeat National
The economy, abortion access, and … book bans? Here’s what is driving young new voters this election

Chalkbeat and The New York Times heard from hundreds of young, first-time voters on the issues most driving their choice for president. Here’s what we learned.

By 
Caroline Bauman
and
Gabrielle Birkner
 | October 25, 2024
NYC schools chancellor: My mom pulled me out of the school system I now lead
FROM Chalkbeat New York
NYC schools chancellor: My mom pulled me out of the school system I now lead

Melissa Aviles-Ramos wants to ensure no parent has to make the impossible choices her mother did.

By 
Melissa Aviles-Ramos
 | October 29, 2024

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