I loved this, Jessica, especially how you connected political arguments to what goes on in the classroom. I heard some valuable advice from my teacher coach before I entered my first day in the classroom: the moment you get into a screaming match with a 14-year-old, you lost.

It isn't in my nature to get into screaming matches, but I have fallen into the pitfalls of getting into a power struggle with 14-year-olds. I never win. In fact, it makes me look a lot worse. They usually involve some variation of stopping the lesson and calling their mom right in front of them or stopping the lesson so they get back in their seats. It's a tough inner-city school so there is a big emphasis from others on routines and procedures.

I've realized the past couple days with George Floyd I've been doing the same things fighting with my friends with different opinions. It's not pretty and I'm giving them too much power over me.

This got me thinking a lot. I'm going to write a response piece to it -- thanks Jessica!