In Their Own Words

Hear an individual at the center of a story describe their experience, in their own words, as told to Education Week
EW Esmee Silverman Thumbnail
Student Well-Being & Movement In Their Own Words LGBTQ+ Student Perspective: ‘My School’s GSA Saved My Life’
Esmée Silverman came to the realization that they were transgender in high school, but thought about suicide constantly during their freshman year.
Lauraine Langreo, October 16, 2023
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3 min read
EW Imani Sims Thumbnail
Student Well-Being & Movement In Their Own Words LGBTQ+ Student Perspective: Mental Health Challenges ‘Come With the Territory’
Imani Sims says it's rare to come across fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community who do not have difficulties with their mental health.
Lauraine Langreo, October 16, 2023
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4 min read
Karen Lauritzen stands for a portrait on the Millikin University Campus in Decatur, Ill., on August 30, 2023. Idaho’s Teacher of the Year moved to Illinois for a new job due to right-wing harassment over her support of the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter.
Karen Lauritzen stands for a portrait on the Millikin University Campus in Decatur, Ill., on August 30, 2023. Laurizen, Idaho’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, moved to Illinois for a new job due to harassment over her support of the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter.
Neeta R. Satam for Education Week
Teaching Profession In Their Own Words 'I Was Not Done': How Politics Drove This Teacher of the Year Out of the Classroom
Karen Lauritzen was accused of being a pro-LGBTQ+ activist. The consequences derailed her career.
Madeline Will, August 31, 2023
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6 min read
Aaron Bishop as Tremor, mascot for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Aaron Bishop, dressed as the lime-green dinosaur on the right, poses during the national anthem for his summer job as Tremor, the mascot for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Courtesy of Pete Soto
Teaching Profession In Their Own Words What Does a Teacher Have in Common With a Baseball Mascot? It's All About Engagement
Aaron Bishop reflects on his decades of double duty as a teacher and a mascot in the minor leagues.
Elizabeth Heubeck, July 31, 2023
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5 min read
A two photo collage on dark blue paper of principal Stella Nwanguma and others from school.
Photos: Courtesy of Stella Nwanguma; Design: Gina Tomko/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management In Their Own Words Teaching 'Grand Students': A Principal Treasures Her Work With Multiple Generations
A New Jersey principal built connections over multiple generations of families.
Denisa R. Superville, June 23, 2023
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2 min read
A three photo collage on dark blue paper of principal Chris LeGrande and others from school.
Photos: Courtesy of Chris LeGrande; Design: Gina Tomko/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management In Their Own Words This Principal Endured A Lot of Senior Pranks. One Stood Out
Chris LeGrande won't forget 215 keys, a jar, and a parking boot.
Denisa R. Superville, June 23, 2023
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3 min read
A five photo collage on dark blue paper of principal Catherine Diezi and others from school.
Photos: Brad Vest for Education Week; Design: Gina Tomko/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management In Their Own Words 'What Happened to Sherman?': A Principal Who Can't Shake the Memory of One Special Student
Catherine Diezi shared her love for literature with staff and students. She'll remember how that transformed their lives.
Denisa R. Superville, June 23, 2023
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3 min read
A three photo collage on dark blue paper of principal Stacy Schreiner and others from school.
Photos: Courtesy of Stacy Schreiner; Design: Gina Tomko/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management In Their Own Words 'The Kids Never Once Doubted I Loved Them': A Principal's Deep Connections With Students
This Kansas middle school principal will remember the decades-long relationships she's built with students.
Denisa R. Superville, June 23, 2023
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4 min read
Mario Willis
Mario Willis
Student Achievement In Their Own Words This Superintendent Raised Grad Rates in His Rural, High Poverty District. Here’s How
Mario Willis grew up in the Mississippi Delta community where he's now the schools chief.
Elizabeth Heubeck, June 6, 2023
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6 min read
The Russellville City School District has worked to meet the needs of an influx of Hispanic students over the last few years through a number of methods, including hiring nearly a dozen new bilingual aides. Elizabeth Alonzo, pictured here before a class at West Elementary in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022, is one of the bilingual aides.
Para satisfacer las necesidades de una creciente población de estudiantes de inglés, las escuelas de la ciudad de Russellville han contratado a 10 nuevos asistentes bilingües, incluida Elizabeth Alonzo, fotografiada aquí antes de una clase en West Elementary el 9 de diciembre de 2022.
Tamika Moore for Education Week
English Learners In Their Own Words Una Auxiliar Bilingüe Explica el Valor de la Representación de los Estudiantes de Inglés
Elizabeth Alonzo proporciona ahora el apoyo que no recibió en la escuela: alguien que habla y valora su primera lengua.
Ileana Najarro, June 2, 2023
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4 min read
Marlena Young-Jones, an ESL teacher at West Elementary in Russellville, Ala., works with students on Dec. 9, 2022. The Russellville City School District has worked to meet the needs of an influx of Hispanic students over the last few years through a number of methods, including hiring nearly a dozen new bilingual aides.
Marlena Young-Jones, en esta foto de diciembre de 2022, es profesora de ESL en la escuela primaria West Elementary y graduada del sistema escolar de Russellville. La inversión del distrito en desarrollo profesional y apoyo para los estudiantes de inglés envía una fuerte señal sobre su importancia, dice ella.
Tamika Moore for Education Week
English Learners In Their Own Words ¿Cuál es la Mentalidad Adecuada para Enseñar a Estudiantes de Inglés? Una Maestra Explica
Profesores necesitan las disposiciones adecuadas para ayudar a los estudiantes de inglés, pero no son quienes determinan las condiciones.
Ileana Najarro, June 2, 2023
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4 min read
Aryaana Khan pictured in Baisley Pond Park in Jamaica, Queens, NY., on Jan. 27, 2023
Aryaana Khan pictured in Baisley Pond Park in Jamaica, Queens, NY., on Jan. 27, 2023
Mostafa Bassim for Education Week
Science In Their Own Words From Monsoons to Hurricane Sandy: A Student’s Personal Journey From Activist to Scientist
Without formal instruction on climate change in school, Aryaana Khan struggled to make sense of the natural disasters she experienced.
Arianna Prothero, January 31, 2023
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4 min read
Marlena Young-Jones, an ESL teacher at West Elementary in Russellville, Ala., works with students on Dec. 9, 2022. The Russellville City School District has worked to meet the needs of an influx of Hispanic students over the last few years through a number of methods, including hiring nearly a dozen new bilingual aides.
Marlena Young-Jones, an ESL teacher at West Elementary in Russellville, Ala., works with a class of students late last year. The district's investment in professional development and supports for English learners sends a strong signal about their importance, she says.
Tamika Moore for Education Week
English Learners In Their Own Words What's the Right Mindset for Teaching English Learners? A Teacher Explains
Teachers need the right dispositions to help English learners—but district leaders set the stage.
Ileana Najarro, January 30, 2023
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4 min read
The Russellville City School District has worked to meet the needs of an influx of Hispanic students over the last few years through a number of methods, including hiring nearly a dozen new bilingual aides. Elizabeth Alonzo, pictured here before a class at West Elementary in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022, is one of the bilingual aides.
To meet the needs of a growing English learner population, Russellville City Schools has hired 10 new bilingual aides, including Elizabeth Alonzo, pictured here before a class at West Elementary on Dec. 9, 2022.
Tamika Moore for Education Week
English Learners In Their Own Words A Bilingual Aide Explains the Value of Representation for English Learners
Elizabeth Alonzo now provides the support she didn't get in school: Someone who speaks and values her first language.
Ileana Najarro, January 30, 2023
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3 min read
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