Christine Esposito
@msespo.bsky.social
Gifted specialist working with and for all students. VA Gilder-Lehrman TOY '09. Co-conspirator who still gets it wrong. I'm the annoying one asking hard questions. she/her
If my mouth doesn't say it, my face definitely will.
https://msespo.substack.com
If my mouth doesn't say it, my face definitely will.
https://msespo.substack.com
Why do you teach?
This reason. Every time.
This reason. Every time.
November 25, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Why do you teach?
This reason. Every time.
This reason. Every time.
Once again The Selection by Kiera Cass is working magic. Sixth grade girls who don't like/want to read can often be convinced to give this book a try. They invariably end up reading the entire series.
Just had to buy three more sets of the series bc a group of friends wants to read it together.
Just had to buy three more sets of the series bc a group of friends wants to read it together.
November 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Once again The Selection by Kiera Cass is working magic. Sixth grade girls who don't like/want to read can often be convinced to give this book a try. They invariably end up reading the entire series.
Just had to buy three more sets of the series bc a group of friends wants to read it together.
Just had to buy three more sets of the series bc a group of friends wants to read it together.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
Good morning! Today starts with me sharing an inspiring story that I hope helps to brighten your day. Be Safe 🫶🏾
November 25, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Good morning! Today starts with me sharing an inspiring story that I hope helps to brighten your day. Be Safe 🫶🏾
Reposted by Christine Esposito
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
Charlottesville friends, the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center @jsaahccville.bsky.social has released a great new app--History in the Palm of Your Hand. It explores the story of the school & our city through audio, photos, documents & maps. It's very cool. mailchi.mp/jeffschoolhr...
History in the Palm of Your Hand
mailchi.mp
November 24, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Charlottesville friends, the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center @jsaahccville.bsky.social has released a great new app--History in the Palm of Your Hand. It explores the story of the school & our city through audio, photos, documents & maps. It's very cool. mailchi.mp/jeffschoolhr...
Today I'm especially remembering Sage Smith, a former student, who was last seen exactly 13 years ago today.
ncmissingpersons.org/dashad-sage-...
ncmissingpersons.org/dashad-sage-...
November 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Today I'm especially remembering Sage Smith, a former student, who was last seen exactly 13 years ago today.
ncmissingpersons.org/dashad-sage-...
ncmissingpersons.org/dashad-sage-...
THIS PART. Kids don't ever see the joy in learning bc it's all just something to get through.
That's one of the reasons AI is such an issue - 'learning' is just a hoop. Who cares? They've been having to jump through hoops for years.
We need to let teachers & students lead the way. Not politicians.
That's one of the reasons AI is such an issue - 'learning' is just a hoop. Who cares? They've been having to jump through hoops for years.
We need to let teachers & students lead the way. Not politicians.
There's no responsiveness because it's clear the purpose isn't to teach kids, it's to "get through" the curriculum.
There's never a charge to maintain fidelity to children, there is only fidelity to the curriculum.
There's never a charge to maintain fidelity to children, there is only fidelity to the curriculum.
November 20, 2025 at 12:57 PM
THIS PART. Kids don't ever see the joy in learning bc it's all just something to get through.
That's one of the reasons AI is such an issue - 'learning' is just a hoop. Who cares? They've been having to jump through hoops for years.
We need to let teachers & students lead the way. Not politicians.
That's one of the reasons AI is such an issue - 'learning' is just a hoop. Who cares? They've been having to jump through hoops for years.
We need to let teachers & students lead the way. Not politicians.
Is there anyone doing standards based grading in English? If you are - good or bad - can you give me some details? We're being pushed to do it and we're getting precious little information from the people who are making the push.
November 18, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Is there anyone doing standards based grading in English? If you are - good or bad - can you give me some details? We're being pushed to do it and we're getting precious little information from the people who are making the push.
I've mostly stayed out of the AI discourse bc while I have feelings, I haven't done a lot of research.
I will say this, however. I think the student use of AI lays bare what students think of education: It's a hoop through which they need to jump.
The adults have done that & we need to undo it.
I will say this, however. I think the student use of AI lays bare what students think of education: It's a hoop through which they need to jump.
The adults have done that & we need to undo it.
November 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I've mostly stayed out of the AI discourse bc while I have feelings, I haven't done a lot of research.
I will say this, however. I think the student use of AI lays bare what students think of education: It's a hoop through which they need to jump.
The adults have done that & we need to undo it.
I will say this, however. I think the student use of AI lays bare what students think of education: It's a hoop through which they need to jump.
The adults have done that & we need to undo it.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
I wish we talked about kids better. Not just about the news, but generally.
Adultification has been true for people of color for quite some time. It's not just a legal issue, but a moral and ethical one.
Our society could do more to let children live in their fullest childhood.
Adultification has been true for people of color for quite some time. It's not just a legal issue, but a moral and ethical one.
Our society could do more to let children live in their fullest childhood.
November 14, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I wish we talked about kids better. Not just about the news, but generally.
Adultification has been true for people of color for quite some time. It's not just a legal issue, but a moral and ethical one.
Our society could do more to let children live in their fullest childhood.
Adultification has been true for people of color for quite some time. It's not just a legal issue, but a moral and ethical one.
Our society could do more to let children live in their fullest childhood.
From the "When will I ever need this?" files.
Answer: When it's time to name your flight instructor school.
The humanities matter, people.
Answer: When it's time to name your flight instructor school.
The humanities matter, people.
This is a real flight school, teaching people to fly planes!!! Like????
November 14, 2025 at 2:02 AM
From the "When will I ever need this?" files.
Answer: When it's time to name your flight instructor school.
The humanities matter, people.
Answer: When it's time to name your flight instructor school.
The humanities matter, people.
This right here. How we are responding to this crisis is a fucking disaster.
Skilled teachers are being forced to teach from a box written by people who do not know the kids in front of that teacher & more than likely written by people who do not look like those kids nor understand their talents.
Skilled teachers are being forced to teach from a box written by people who do not know the kids in front of that teacher & more than likely written by people who do not look like those kids nor understand their talents.
It is actually so insane that two sides on offer are “old guy who says we read via vibes” and “moral panic fueled policies advocating for state mandated adoption of boxed curricula based on a podcast people listened to once.” The crisis is a crisis. How we respond to the crisis is also a crisis.
November 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM
This right here. How we are responding to this crisis is a fucking disaster.
Skilled teachers are being forced to teach from a box written by people who do not know the kids in front of that teacher & more than likely written by people who do not look like those kids nor understand their talents.
Skilled teachers are being forced to teach from a box written by people who do not know the kids in front of that teacher & more than likely written by people who do not look like those kids nor understand their talents.
Hey all! Probably not surprising, but the number of students asking for snacks throughout the day has increased substantially. If you are able, please consider donating some snacks to keep our students focused on learning rather than being hungry.
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Check out my list on Amazon
www.amazon.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Hey all! Probably not surprising, but the number of students asking for snacks throughout the day has increased substantially. If you are able, please consider donating some snacks to keep our students focused on learning rather than being hungry.
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Today is the first drop-off duty in below freezing temperatures. Maybe I should have brought in the big coat.
Well. A heavy sweater and a scarf will have to do.
Well. A heavy sweater and a scarf will have to do.
November 11, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Today is the first drop-off duty in below freezing temperatures. Maybe I should have brought in the big coat.
Well. A heavy sweater and a scarf will have to do.
Well. A heavy sweater and a scarf will have to do.
Costco is my favorite place to shop.
that's in part because costco feels so old fashioned. the approach generally seems to be, "will this provide additional value to our customers?"
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Costco is my favorite place to shop.
This part. Thinking about the inspiring speech made by our superintendent at the opening convocation and all of the policies put in place by division admin that make it almost impossible to do anything different.
We’re adding novels but being forced to keep a lot of crappy stuff.
We’re adding novels but being forced to keep a lot of crappy stuff.
To frame this another way: there are a lot of decision-makers sounding the alarm about a "student reading crisis" while implementing policies in their districts and schools that are actively removing books from the hands of students
(And that's BEFORE we talk about the censorship going on, too)
(And that's BEFORE we talk about the censorship going on, too)
November 8, 2025 at 5:27 PM
This part. Thinking about the inspiring speech made by our superintendent at the opening convocation and all of the policies put in place by division admin that make it almost impossible to do anything different.
We’re adding novels but being forced to keep a lot of crappy stuff.
We’re adding novels but being forced to keep a lot of crappy stuff.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
I see James Watson has died.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I see James Watson has died.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
It’s International Day. The best day of the year. I just had the best baklava of my whole life.
I love seeing kids get to celebrate who they are and in many cases, the lives they had to leave behind.
I love seeing kids get to celebrate who they are and in many cases, the lives they had to leave behind.
November 7, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It’s International Day. The best day of the year. I just had the best baklava of my whole life.
I love seeing kids get to celebrate who they are and in many cases, the lives they had to leave behind.
I love seeing kids get to celebrate who they are and in many cases, the lives they had to leave behind.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
On top of refusing to fully fund SNAP during the shutdown, the Trump regime has:
-Cut $1 billion from USDA programs supporting food banks
-Enacted tariffs that have caused food prices to rise
-Made the largest cut to SNAP in history
-Canceled the annual food security survey
Shameful.
-Cut $1 billion from USDA programs supporting food banks
-Enacted tariffs that have caused food prices to rise
-Made the largest cut to SNAP in history
-Canceled the annual food security survey
Shameful.
November 6, 2025 at 11:31 PM
On top of refusing to fully fund SNAP during the shutdown, the Trump regime has:
-Cut $1 billion from USDA programs supporting food banks
-Enacted tariffs that have caused food prices to rise
-Made the largest cut to SNAP in history
-Canceled the annual food security survey
Shameful.
-Cut $1 billion from USDA programs supporting food banks
-Enacted tariffs that have caused food prices to rise
-Made the largest cut to SNAP in history
-Canceled the annual food security survey
Shameful.
We've looked at American Gothic by Wood & Parks. Analyzed three version of "I Hear America Singing." I then asked them: What do kids see that adults miss at school.
Just...WOW. Some of these answers are giving me chills.
Just...WOW. Some of these answers are giving me chills.
November 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
We've looked at American Gothic by Wood & Parks. Analyzed three version of "I Hear America Singing." I then asked them: What do kids see that adults miss at school.
Just...WOW. Some of these answers are giving me chills.
Just...WOW. Some of these answers are giving me chills.
Virginia with a Democratic sweep. The House went from a 2-vote Dem majority to a predicted 64-36 supermajority. I so hope this is a sign of things to come for the midterms and the 2028 election.
November 5, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Virginia with a Democratic sweep. The House went from a 2-vote Dem majority to a predicted 64-36 supermajority. I so hope this is a sign of things to come for the midterms and the 2028 election.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
I am thrilled by Spanberger’s win (and so many wins across Virginia). I am also grateful for this reminder. We have so much work to do.
November 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
I am thrilled by Spanberger’s win (and so many wins across Virginia). I am also grateful for this reminder. We have so much work to do.
Reposted by Christine Esposito
I'm still not comprehending why some people want other people in this country to not have access to food and eat
Am I missing something???
Am I missing something???
November 4, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I'm still not comprehending why some people want other people in this country to not have access to food and eat
Am I missing something???
Am I missing something???
Last week's question for my group: What is America?
Favorite answer so far: America is where I am from. America is the home of the free but maybe America could lock in a little bit when it comes to electing presidents because who elected that demented old man?
Favorite answer so far: America is where I am from. America is the home of the free but maybe America could lock in a little bit when it comes to electing presidents because who elected that demented old man?
November 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Last week's question for my group: What is America?
Favorite answer so far: America is where I am from. America is the home of the free but maybe America could lock in a little bit when it comes to electing presidents because who elected that demented old man?
Favorite answer so far: America is where I am from. America is the home of the free but maybe America could lock in a little bit when it comes to electing presidents because who elected that demented old man?