Affirmations and Accessibility

As a women with a learning disability that teaches individuals with learning disabilities, I cannot sit silent as the ableist words of Donald Trump fill my screen.

Having a learning disability doesn’t make a person incapable, in fact, I find it to be quite the opposite. Disabled folx have had to learn to be resilient, creative, adaptable, and thick skinned as we navigate a world that wasn’t designed with us in mind. And all these qualities sound like the making of a pretty good leader, don’t you think?

If we actually valued educators, it would show up in the structures.
Not in “thank you for all you do” emails written by chat GPT and appreciation weeks, but in protected time, realistic expectations, and systems that don’t rely on burnout to function.

Most teachers aren’t asking for praise.
They’re asking for conditions that make the work sustainable.

That’s not entitlement.
That’s respect.

‘President’ is more than a title. It’s how you treat people: women, disabled individuals, communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, etc. and whether you act with integrity.

When our current president mocks, harms, lies, and dehumanizes, silence becomes complicity. Add in his being in the Epstein files and we are far from honoring anything worth celebrating.

This Presidents’ Day, I’m reflecting on the standard we should expect: humanity, accountability, and basic decency.

Sending love to the educators who are tired of being gaslit, underpaid, and expected to fix systemic failures with nothing but heart.

You care deeply. You set boundaries. You fight for accessibility and equity anyway.

You are not the problem.

We deserve a school system that loves us back. Always.

Educators and students deserve so much more than this current unsustainable system.

Not just candy.
Not just “thank yous.”
Not just being told to do more with less.

Real support.
Respect for our expertise.
Time to plan, rest, and breathe.
Policies that center humans, not just data.

The only conversation hearts I’m interested in this Valentine’s Day.

Not “Be Mine.”

Be brave.
Be loud.
Be on the right side of history.

Love isn’t neutral.
Love doesn’t stay quiet when rights are stripped, educators are attacked, or students are targeted.

If loving my students means being “too political,” then pass me another heart.

Our students organized a peaceful protest against ICE on their own, with care, intention, and an incredible sense of responsibility.

They made signs and chants, set rules to keep people safe, and looked out for one another throughout.

Watching them lead with courage and compassion brought me to tears. I was especially moved seeing my newcomer students feel the solidarity and unity of their school community so deeply.

This is what youth leadership looks like.
This is what happens when students know their voices matter.

I am so proud of you. 🩶

This is a reminder for educators: our presence matters.

Our students are paying attention to the world around them. They are seeing the videos and images of people being murdered, children being taken, families ripped apart.

In moments shaped by fear and uncertainty, being a trusted adult can change everything.

Hold space. Lead with care. Stay.

I know it’s heavy. It is so dang heavy.