Jess

Seeking Peace in the In-Between Finding sacred space, stillness, and clarity in November’s half-light.

November offers a unique chance to find sacred space, stillness, and clarity. Check out my latest Substack, 'Seeking Peace in the In-Between,' and explore how to cultivate these moments amidst the seasonal transitions and mid-semester point in the classroom.

open.substack.com/pub/incantat...

I am to grateful (and privileged) to work in a district who sees and values its students, and a district who stands firm in these beliefs.
Today I spent the day refining my allyship knowledge and skills, and planning how I will host my school’s first middle school GSA.

It’s my favorite time of the year - Weird Writing Wednesdays. When scholars remember they’re innate storytellers and rediscover their love for writing.

Link: open.substack.com/pub/incantat...

The first week was sweet & full of magic, but the weight of carrying both the classroom & my own kids is already pressing its weight on my shoulders.

Check out my newest Substack - a reflection on invisible labor, impossible expectations, & finding resilience in the multitudes we carry!

When your first week activities not only establish routines & expectations, but also model & assess core skills, you really discover how your scholars approach both learning & collaborating.

My bold AND my quiet leaders, my creative AND analytical thinkers get to shine!

Lifting the Veil in the Classroom Crafting Curriculum with Anti-Racist Intention

Episode 2 of Incantations & Ink, the podcast, is available NOW!

This one is for educators who believe teaching is spellwork. We’ll explore crafting brave, soul-stirring curriculum in the age of censorship.

🎧 Listen here →
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🎤✨ POP STAR ERA, BUT MAKE IT TEACHING ✨🎤

Teaching is not just a job. It’s a sacred art - a practice shaped as much by the kids in front of us as by the lessons we plan. It is a living, evolving body of work.

💚 This week on Substack, I’m unpacking what “The Life of a Teacher” really means.

My newest Substack, Dangerous Words, Sacred Truths is live on Incantations & Ink.

In a time of censorship and fear, choosing what we teach is an act of defiance and devotion.

Read the full post & reclaim the power of the narrative. 🔥

open.substack.com/pub/incantat...

New school year, new magic ✨

Start the year leading with your heart and create rituals that foster trust and connection. Episode 1 of Incantations & Ink, the podcast is live now.

Listen here: open.substack.com/pub/incantat...

Coming soon to a Substack near you.
Subscribe. It’s free. 🖤

Today, on Lughnasadh, an ancient harvest celebration, I find myself thinking about cycles - of growth, of letting go, of preparing.

My newest Substack shares how honoring these natural transitions helps me step into the new school year with intention.
incantationsandink.substack.com/p/between-su...

Incantations & Ink - Jess (@incantationsandink) I’m trying to write more in ways that are meaningful and “low pressure” as July rolls into August. So I have an idea — for 7 days I’m going to share a one-word theme, a creative prompt, and a micro-in...

I’m trying to write more in ways that are meaningful and “low pressure,” so I have an idea…

Head to Substack to join in the fun!
substack.com/@incantation...

Help stock our 6th grade classroom! 📚✏️

a.co/8hWmtZy

As a Title I school facing budget shortfalls & defunding fears, your support means the world to our students. Every item helps! 💛

#SupportTeachers #Title1Schools #ClassroomWishList #AmazonWishlist #BackToSchool #EdEquity #FundEducation

Gentle Parenting America Loving Her, Holding Her Accountable, & Wanting Her to be Her Best Self

My latest Substack post uses the lens of gentle parenting to explore what it means to truly love this country.

If you're tired of watching the same cycles of harm repeat while people call it "patriotism," this piece is for you.

Let’s raise Her right.
📖 Read here: tinyurl.com/GentleParent...

Teaching students to determine the truth from noise is an act of empowerment. Check out our newest Substack:

open.substack.com/pub/incantat...

Astrology in the Classroom (Part 1) Students and their Star Signs

“I know that astrology isn’t a pedagogical tool…I do think it can offer a lighthearted framework for exploring personality dynamics in the classroom.”

Check out my newest post:
open.substack.com/pub/incantat...

Are education and literacy political? Spoiler Alert: Absolutely

I’ve never been one to shy away from the tough conversations, so this space can’t be any different.

Check out this week’s post and let me know what you think!

substack.com/@incantation...

13 More Wake Ups Counting down 'til the end (of the school year)...and the magic in rest.

You cannot do this job and give yourself over to it so fully that you don’t protect your own emotional well being, and that means on June-whatever I run TF out of there with a trail of fire behind me.

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“…what I love about this combination of my witchiness and my muggle job - is that it is a beautifully authentic way to intertwine both my craft of magick and my craft of teaching.”

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incantationsandink.substack.com/p/teacher-th...

Spring break is a time to soak up peace and quiet, and to dig into some new books.

I finished Sunrise on the Reaping earlier last week and Heartless Hunter (YA fantasy) today. 🥳

I’m now stuck between The God of the Woods (thriller/crime novel) and When the Moon Hatched (dark fantasy). 🫣 help! 😂

3 days before spring break, we absolutely need to get out of our seats.
With 4 instructional days before PSSAs we can’t let up, so station rotations it is!
Word sorts to review root words.

1 HUGE pushback I tend to experience is that I spend too much time & energy on Weird Writing Wednesdays & just having my scholars tell their own stories & read whole novels not enough instructing TDAs.
My WHY is just this:
Thanks Dr. Curcio for the reinforcement #storytelling #readwholebooks

It has been YEARS since I have had the privilege of participating in an outside professional development. I’m so pumped to be here learning & networking with teachers & other professionals w/ Western Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English conference
@ncte.org
Can’t wait to share my takeaways!

Final product work for our novel study is a good indication of who has locked in for quarter 3 and who has some intense work to do over the next few class meetings. It’s all about growth - so we’re taking a lot of deep breaths, having a lot of one on one meetings. Feedback loops are crucial.

It’s the little things in Spring that keep us motivated - Student Envoy’s are preparing their Summit presentations for next week. This is a crucial point of reflection for me as a facilitator, too. I’m intensely aware of how much work we still have to do but so proud of our first year!

Working together to survive a hypothetical plane crash - working on collaboration and argumentation.

Chatting about the evolution of technology and the need to adapt as we move forward in time. Thanks to Louie Bates for joining us today!

Community partnerships for the win today. Thanks @duquesneuniversity.bsky.social for hosting Education day!