Greetings blogosphere, twitterverse, and internet at large! I am a current 7^th grade language arts teacher in the Four Corners of New Mexico, serving primarily Navajo students. I am in my second year of certified teaching, with other experience in high school alternative ed and college EFL teaching in Thailand.

When I graduated from high school, my friend gave me an empty journal. All he wrote in it was: “Don’t let this be blank.” I feel compelled to live by this simple creed, especially when it comes to the most important issues of justice in our society. In creating this blog, I am trying to live up to his challenge for me. I owe it to my students, my schools, and my community not to let my passions go unshared or unsaid. Being a better teacher for my students, getting bright and passionate people to work in education, and creating better systems to serve kids in schools are all pivotal to providing opportunities for all kids in my state of New Mexico.  

As a new-ish teacher, I offer the simpleton perspective: all I can share is from my experience in the classroom, seeing policies and programs play out in my practice as a teacher and in my students’ learning experience. I am ‘in the trenches’ and I hope that my point of view, however limited, can cast some light on the highest levels of education decisions in the country. If you are a student, a parent, an engaged member of our democracy, or a fellow advocate for kids, welcome to newmexed.

The learning is in the struggle.