Mattrkay
@mattrkay.bsky.social
Girl Dad, Educator, and Author
Reposted by Mattrkay
A post worth reading
New Post: Meeting the Moment by Knowing Our History
Are educators ahistorical about their own profession?
What do the last 150 years of American public education teach us about how we must meet this current educational moment?
Are educators ahistorical about their own profession?
What do the last 150 years of American public education teach us about how we must meet this current educational moment?
Meeting the Moment by Knowing Our History
Recently, I was lucky enough to talk to one of the truly transformational educators of the previous generation. They're getting older and starting to have some real health challenges, and they are someone who deserves all the flowers and thank yous for creating schools that changed the parameters of what many people - students, parents, educators, policy makers - thought school could be.
practicaltheory.org
October 6, 2025 at 1:28 AM
A post worth reading
My latest column for EL Magazine ❤️
"We can’t have it both ways: School systems can’t both retain and infantilize expert teachers." ascd.org/el/articles/...
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"We can’t have it both ways: School systems can’t both retain and infantilize expert teachers." ascd.org/el/articles/...
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Are We Giving “Pros” the Respect They Deserve?
If we want to keep our best educators, let’s treat them like the professionals they are.
ascd.org
October 1, 2025 at 10:21 PM
My latest column for EL Magazine ❤️
"We can’t have it both ways: School systems can’t both retain and infantilize expert teachers." ascd.org/el/articles/...
Image
"We can’t have it both ways: School systems can’t both retain and infantilize expert teachers." ascd.org/el/articles/...
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It’s so helpful for teachers to have a *pre-fussing* gear that’s not hostile.
“Hey! Now LOOK at you. I wrapped up all this pretty work time and gave you a gift and you just THREW it away! I’m CRYING over here.” 🤪
In other words, “Do your work, freshman.”
“Hey! Now LOOK at you. I wrapped up all this pretty work time and gave you a gift and you just THREW it away! I’m CRYING over here.” 🤪
In other words, “Do your work, freshman.”
September 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
It’s so helpful for teachers to have a *pre-fussing* gear that’s not hostile.
“Hey! Now LOOK at you. I wrapped up all this pretty work time and gave you a gift and you just THREW it away! I’m CRYING over here.” 🤪
In other words, “Do your work, freshman.”
“Hey! Now LOOK at you. I wrapped up all this pretty work time and gave you a gift and you just THREW it away! I’m CRYING over here.” 🤪
In other words, “Do your work, freshman.”
really should be a celebration animation that plays when you get to the end of a class of grading
cmon canvas hype me up
cmon canvas hype me up
September 17, 2025 at 11:03 PM
really should be a celebration animation that plays when you get to the end of a class of grading
cmon canvas hype me up
cmon canvas hype me up
On a commercial, I just heard “Speak with a *real* therapist , NOT AI!” as a selling point (yikes!)
… and I’m wondering how common/ effective/crucial that claim will become for a brand.
Be taught by a *real* teacher!
Listen to a *real* band!
Written by a *real* author!
… and I’m wondering how common/ effective/crucial that claim will become for a brand.
Be taught by a *real* teacher!
Listen to a *real* band!
Written by a *real* author!
August 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM
On a commercial, I just heard “Speak with a *real* therapist , NOT AI!” as a selling point (yikes!)
… and I’m wondering how common/ effective/crucial that claim will become for a brand.
Be taught by a *real* teacher!
Listen to a *real* band!
Written by a *real* author!
… and I’m wondering how common/ effective/crucial that claim will become for a brand.
Be taught by a *real* teacher!
Listen to a *real* band!
Written by a *real* author!
This year I’m only about grown-up conversations (like this) about public schools. No time - or energy - for temper tantrums. practicaltheory.org/blog/2025/08...
Build, Don’t Burn
The problem with building a thing is that, once it’s built, folks will try to burn it down. Burning down seems to be in vogue these days. We are seeing, in real time, institutions that have i…
practicaltheory.org
August 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
This year I’m only about grown-up conversations (like this) about public schools. No time - or energy - for temper tantrums. practicaltheory.org/blog/2025/08...
Reposted by Mattrkay
If you have 5 minutes this weekend, listen to this clip of @mattrkay.bsky.social walking through his guidance towards teachers who are hesitant about facilitating more-challenging discussions in their classroom.
(Also: this is why we need to listen to teachers.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx8p...
(Also: this is why we need to listen to teachers.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx8p...
Talking About What Matters with Matt Kay
YouTube video by Broken Copier
www.youtube.com
August 2, 2025 at 12:57 PM
If you have 5 minutes this weekend, listen to this clip of @mattrkay.bsky.social walking through his guidance towards teachers who are hesitant about facilitating more-challenging discussions in their classroom.
(Also: this is why we need to listen to teachers.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx8p...
(Also: this is why we need to listen to teachers.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx8p...
Reposted by Mattrkay
"We're there to be humans in the room with other humans talking about ideas"
The case by @mattrkay.bsky.social in this conversation: never more than now have classroom discussions been needed, in both quantity and quality.
(And that quantity and quality? Not an easy thing.)
The case by @mattrkay.bsky.social in this conversation: never more than now have classroom discussions been needed, in both quantity and quality.
(And that quantity and quality? Not an easy thing.)
August 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
"We're there to be humans in the room with other humans talking about ideas"
The case by @mattrkay.bsky.social in this conversation: never more than now have classroom discussions been needed, in both quantity and quality.
(And that quantity and quality? Not an easy thing.)
The case by @mattrkay.bsky.social in this conversation: never more than now have classroom discussions been needed, in both quantity and quality.
(And that quantity and quality? Not an easy thing.)
Reposted by Mattrkay
"Everything I love about teaching is represented in coaching."
Cannot wait for this conversation to come out tomorrow! So much of what @mattrkay.bsky.social said resonated with me (example: teaching as a type of coaching!) but also pushed me to imagine better for the upcoming year 🙏
Cannot wait for this conversation to come out tomorrow! So much of what @mattrkay.bsky.social said resonated with me (example: teaching as a type of coaching!) but also pushed me to imagine better for the upcoming year 🙏
August 1, 2025 at 12:54 AM
"Everything I love about teaching is represented in coaching."
Cannot wait for this conversation to come out tomorrow! So much of what @mattrkay.bsky.social said resonated with me (example: teaching as a type of coaching!) but also pushed me to imagine better for the upcoming year 🙏
Cannot wait for this conversation to come out tomorrow! So much of what @mattrkay.bsky.social said resonated with me (example: teaching as a type of coaching!) but also pushed me to imagine better for the upcoming year 🙏
Is this the year that ELA teachers need to authentically plan for a post-essay world?
July 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Is this the year that ELA teachers need to authentically plan for a post-essay world?
School in a year (or so):
watching our computers talk to each other, then hopefully asking kids what they’ve learned from the exchange.
watching our computers talk to each other, then hopefully asking kids what they’ve learned from the exchange.
July 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
School in a year (or so):
watching our computers talk to each other, then hopefully asking kids what they’ve learned from the exchange.
watching our computers talk to each other, then hopefully asking kids what they’ve learned from the exchange.
Reposted by Mattrkay
1. This book is one of those rare education books that almost immediately became transferable to my classroom practices (Like: immediately!)
2. I was super fortunate to be able to pick @mattrkay.bsky.social's thinking, too—cannot wait for that conversation to come out in a couple weeks!
2. I was super fortunate to be able to pick @mattrkay.bsky.social's thinking, too—cannot wait for that conversation to come out in a couple weeks!
July 18, 2025 at 1:34 AM
1. This book is one of those rare education books that almost immediately became transferable to my classroom practices (Like: immediately!)
2. I was super fortunate to be able to pick @mattrkay.bsky.social's thinking, too—cannot wait for that conversation to come out in a couple weeks!
2. I was super fortunate to be able to pick @mattrkay.bsky.social's thinking, too—cannot wait for that conversation to come out in a couple weeks!
The voting on squid game feels like last november
End the game or play the game. It’s on the nose
End the game or play the game. It’s on the nose
July 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The voting on squid game feels like last november
End the game or play the game. It’s on the nose
End the game or play the game. It’s on the nose
Reposted by Mattrkay
I can't believe this book has been out in the world for two years. I will be forever grateful to @mattrkay.bsky.social for inviting me into this work and for sharing all of his wisdom and the energy he'd put into Not Light, But Fire.
Happy 2nd birthday to We're Gonna Keep On Talking! Co-authors @mattrkay.bsky.social and @jenorr.bsky.social empower elementary teachers to respond authentically and truthfully to children's questions about the world and lead meaningful discussions about race. www.routledge.com/Were-Gonna-K...
June 6, 2025 at 7:01 PM
I can't believe this book has been out in the world for two years. I will be forever grateful to @mattrkay.bsky.social for inviting me into this work and for sharing all of his wisdom and the energy he'd put into Not Light, But Fire.
As we end another school year, here’s a gentle reminder that the way things end (that last sweet conversation, that last snarky quip) matters. A lot.
Let’s agree to let each other go out easy plz www.ascd.org/el/articles/...
Let’s agree to let each other go out easy plz www.ascd.org/el/articles/...
Confronting Inequity / Getting the Endings Right
A psychological theory on the power of endings offers lessons for educators, especially this year.
www.ascd.org
June 1, 2025 at 11:32 PM
As we end another school year, here’s a gentle reminder that the way things end (that last sweet conversation, that last snarky quip) matters. A lot.
Let’s agree to let each other go out easy plz www.ascd.org/el/articles/...
Let’s agree to let each other go out easy plz www.ascd.org/el/articles/...
I mean… I know what they were going for… but I feel like you coulda had *one* classroom in Adolescence that wasn’t an abomination.
“All they do is show movies.”
Not sure why teachers had to catch strays. What WE do?
“All they do is show movies.”
Not sure why teachers had to catch strays. What WE do?
May 27, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I mean… I know what they were going for… but I feel like you coulda had *one* classroom in Adolescence that wasn’t an abomination.
“All they do is show movies.”
Not sure why teachers had to catch strays. What WE do?
“All they do is show movies.”
Not sure why teachers had to catch strays. What WE do?
Again, I can’t imagine giving up the joy - and in this case, the agony - of reading authentic student work.
My god 😢
My god 😢
May 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Again, I can’t imagine giving up the joy - and in this case, the agony - of reading authentic student work.
My god 😢
My god 😢
“We haven’t broken / We are learning how to bend.”
Ok kid!
Idk how any teacher would willingly give up authentically reading students’ work. That instinctive happy grunt, that “oooh,” that “oh I see you.” Why would we *ever* give that up?
Keep schools human.
Ok kid!
Idk how any teacher would willingly give up authentically reading students’ work. That instinctive happy grunt, that “oooh,” that “oh I see you.” Why would we *ever* give that up?
Keep schools human.
May 14, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“We haven’t broken / We are learning how to bend.”
Ok kid!
Idk how any teacher would willingly give up authentically reading students’ work. That instinctive happy grunt, that “oooh,” that “oh I see you.” Why would we *ever* give that up?
Keep schools human.
Ok kid!
Idk how any teacher would willingly give up authentically reading students’ work. That instinctive happy grunt, that “oooh,” that “oh I see you.” Why would we *ever* give that up?
Keep schools human.
7 yo: (Putting on school T-shirt.) “Everything at my school says ‘joyful learning.’
Me: “Yeah.”
7 yo: “But we are learning about frogs.”
My wife: “Are you having a good time learning about frogs?”
7 yo: “Of course!”
Me: “There you go.”
Me: “Yeah.”
7 yo: “But we are learning about frogs.”
My wife: “Are you having a good time learning about frogs?”
7 yo: “Of course!”
Me: “There you go.”
May 13, 2025 at 11:02 AM
7 yo: (Putting on school T-shirt.) “Everything at my school says ‘joyful learning.’
Me: “Yeah.”
7 yo: “But we are learning about frogs.”
My wife: “Are you having a good time learning about frogs?”
7 yo: “Of course!”
Me: “There you go.”
Me: “Yeah.”
7 yo: “But we are learning about frogs.”
My wife: “Are you having a good time learning about frogs?”
7 yo: “Of course!”
Me: “There you go.”
Reposted by Mattrkay
All of the time you take, you take. The charge to take time with meaning and for reasons is such an excellent charge.
Most of my classroom successes this year came from doing *less* than last year.
A couple less slides on the slideshow, one less film clip, a few less activities, more time to read, more time to write, more time to talk
A couple less slides on the slideshow, one less film clip, a few less activities, more time to read, more time to write, more time to talk
May 13, 2025 at 12:16 AM
All of the time you take, you take. The charge to take time with meaning and for reasons is such an excellent charge.
Reposted by Mattrkay
Short thread here from Matt, but worth recognizing. I have this problem with physical stuff and have to learn to pull back.
Most of my classroom successes this year came from doing *less* than last year.
A couple less slides on the slideshow, one less film clip, a few less activities, more time to read, more time to write, more time to talk
A couple less slides on the slideshow, one less film clip, a few less activities, more time to read, more time to write, more time to talk
May 12, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Short thread here from Matt, but worth recognizing. I have this problem with physical stuff and have to learn to pull back.
Most of my classroom successes this year came from doing *less* than last year.
A couple less slides on the slideshow, one less film clip, a few less activities, more time to read, more time to write, more time to talk
A couple less slides on the slideshow, one less film clip, a few less activities, more time to read, more time to write, more time to talk
May 12, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Most of my classroom successes this year came from doing *less* than last year.
A couple less slides on the slideshow, one less film clip, a few less activities, more time to read, more time to write, more time to talk
A couple less slides on the slideshow, one less film clip, a few less activities, more time to read, more time to write, more time to talk
Reposted by Mattrkay
Let’s not always chase the shiny new thing! @mattrkay.bsky.social reminds teachers to have patience and stick with a new strategy before deciding it doesn’t work.
Give Teachers a Chance to “Get Good”
Mastering new teaching practices requires patience, persistence, and room to grow.
www.ascd.org
April 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Let’s not always chase the shiny new thing! @mattrkay.bsky.social reminds teachers to have patience and stick with a new strategy before deciding it doesn’t work.