Are these MY people?
Fully aware that I am a teacher who believes in public education, an acquaintance recently said he hopes schools switch over to online-only learning permanently—even after the coronavirus pandemic is
The Magic of Bees and Fireflies
My mind is a beehive of activity these mornings. On my early morning walks, I look for wild black raspberries that ripen every June along our southern woods. In a
Checking My White Privilege
In the early 1990s, I worked at a small grocery store in Columbia, Missouri, called Eastgate Foods. It was a grimy little building situated on the dimly lit corner of
Shared Meals and Conversations
“Come to the table,” Lamya announced. Thus began the sharing of a meal and conversation at the home of Dr. Shakir Hamoodi and his wife Lamya Najim. Sharing conversations over
Art is Our Salvation
By: Travis Naughton “The world is burning, people are sick, oppression is real, and in the middle of all that I just finished my book. It’s insignificant in the big
Saying Goodbye in Today’s Covid-19 World
By: Cathy Salter For the past three months, America has been besieged by a deadly coronavirus pandemic that has changed our lives profoundly. We have sheltered at home, self-quarantined, and
A Very Special Love Letter
Now that the school year has officially ended, so has my dream job of being a music teacher. One of the many reasons I loved my job so much was
Sharing a Memorial Day Food Memory
In every family, there are food memories and traditions that are passed down from one generation to the next. Each year, on birthdays, and at holiday gatherings, the preparation of
Commencement Address 2020
Members of the Board of Education, Superintendent Felmlee, Principal Van Deven, High School Faculty and Staff, Friends and Family, and last but not least, Members of the Class of 2020;
Life Two Months into Staying at Home
As the world continues to struggle with how to deal with the health and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, people are staying at home. The longer we remain sheltered
