Seven years ago, I was encouraged to step into the world of online sharing, joining Twitter and starting this very blog, “Honor Learners,” with the goal of connecting with fellow international educators and sharing my practice. Ironically, I recently stepped away from Twitter on my seven-year anniversary—and my blogging has been sporadic, to say the least. Part of that has been a lack of confidence. I’ve been surrounded by so many incredible educators who possess deep expertise in specific subject areas, and I’ve learned so much from them. Yet, my own educational journey has always been driven by a different focus: meeting learners where they are, which has led me down many different paths.
This journey has been anything but linear. It’s been a winding road of exploration, adaptation, and continuous learning, all in service of honoring my learners.
When the pandemic first hit, like many educators, my primary focus was survival—keeping learners engaged and connected in a suddenly virtual world. I dove into the world of Bitmoji classrooms, created pixel art activities to add a spark of fun to skill practice, and designed digital escape rooms to boost motivation. It was a time of frantic adaptation, a testament to the resilience of educators everywhere.
As the pandemic continued and the initial shock subsided, my focus shifted to a pressing need: supporting struggling readers. This led me to implement a speech-to-print approach, which proved incredibly effective in helping students develop decoding skills. This work became the focus of my action research for my Master’s in Education, allowing me to delve deeply into the practical applications and theoretical underpinnings of this method. But I felt we needed to go deeper. This led me to explore Structured Word Inquiry, realizing the importance of morphology and etymology in addition to phonics. I was starting to see the interconnectedness of language in a new light.
More recently, my focus has turned to helping students navigate the rapidly evolving world of AI. It’s here, it’s not going away, and it’s crucial that we equip our learners with the skills and understanding they need to thrive in this new landscape.
Looking back, I realize that these seemingly disparate explorations—from Bitmoji classrooms to Structured Word Inquiry to AI literacy—are all connected by a common thread: my commitment to meeting learners where they are. This is what “Honor Learners” is all about.
I’ve often hesitated to share my experiences because I’ve felt like there are “better” experts out there. But I’m realizing that my journey, with all its twists and turns, is valuable in itself. It’s a reflection of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of education, especially in our interconnected global community.
My goal now isn’t to present myself as an expert in any one area. It’s to share my journey, to be transparent about my learning process, and to connect with other educators who are also navigating this complex and beautiful landscape. It’s about honoring my learners by sharing how I’ve tried to meet them where they are, in all their diverse and evolving needs.
Reflecting on my own experiences, I recall a specific instance that beautifully illustrates this. As part of my ongoing quest to embed Structured Word Inquiry into our learning, I took a course offered by Marie Foley on Using Visual Narratives to Explain Concepts in Orthography. This course opened up a whole new world for me, introducing me to the power of visual storytelling in explaining complex language concepts. I learned how to use Canva to create engaging videos, and even more importantly, I crafted these videos with my learners. It became a collaborative learning experience, where they not only deepened their understanding of orthography but also gained valuable digital literacy skills by learning how to use Canva themselves. We then shared these videos with parents on Seesaw, creating a bridge between the classroom and home. I recall one parent sharing their heartfelt appreciation, explaining how the videos sparked rich conversations at home and extended the learning beyond the school day. This experience was a powerful reminder that meeting learners where they are isn’t just about addressing their academic needs; it’s about empowering them with skills, fostering connections with their families, and creating a shared learning experience that extends beyond the classroom walls. It solidified my belief that meeting learners where they are is not a static destination, but a continuous journey of learning, adaptation, and reflection.
“Honor Learners” is more than a blog title; it’s a testament to the belief that every student deserves to be met where they are, and that our own journeys as educators are valuable contributions to the global conversation.
What has your educational journey looked like? What challenges and discoveries have shaped your approach to meeting learners where they are? Share your reflections in the comments below.
Honor Learners 