03/14/2026
This morning was our last Reading Club session before March Break, and one of those small moments happened that reminds us why culturally responsive teaching matters.
One of our students came in wearing her bonnet, and I told her how much I liked it and that I would wear mine next class (pending me doing me hair ๐). Right away two other students jumped in saying they had bonnets too and wanted to wear theirs.
So before we started reading, they proudly put them on.
It might seem like a small thing, but moments like this matter.
Bonnets have a long history in Black culture. They are rooted in a history of resistance, where something once tied to oppression became a symbol of cultural expression, care, and pride. Today they are also simply part of everyday life and community.
When students see parts of their culture acknowledged and valued in learning spaces, something important happens. Walls come down. Students feel safe. They connect with each other.
That connection is powerful for learning.
Reading is not just about decoding words. It is also about belonging, confidence, and relationships. When students feel comfortable and seen, they are more willing to take risks, try new words, and grow as readers.
This morning our students bonded over something they all recognized from home and community.
And then they bonded over becoming better readers together.
Moments like that remind me that literacy is always about more than books.
- Ms.Celina
