Subject: TR@TC Induction Newsletter I September 2020 I Beginning of School Year Edition

Induction and Beyond

September 2020 I Beginning of School Year Newsletter

A note from TR@TC...


This will certainly be a September to remember; we enter the final months of 2020, still grappling with the traumatic experiences from this past spring and summer, and an overwhelming sense of disbelief. However, there is also a newfound sense of community, connection, and interdependence. Young voices have moved to the forefront of social movements, in numbers rivaling those of the dawn of the Civil Rights movements. Our world is shifting and changing, and we are embracing that pivot.


On August 25th, we hosted teaching artist Cynthia Huerta, who led us through a drawing activity centered around self-care and self-love. During the session, she asked us to consider these three questions:

  1. How would you like to communicate with your heart?

  2. What will you feed your mind?

  3. What is your offering to the world/your community?

As we enter a most unprecedented school year, we invite you to reflect on your responses to these three questions, and consider how you will enact them throughout the year.


In the following, we offer a curated a list of resources that we hope will be supportive of your practice, and nourishing to your mind, body, and soul.


With sincere gratitude for all you do,

The TR@TC Induction Team

Pictured above: Cynthia Huerta's "Gifts to Your Heart, Mind, and Hand" creation.

Raising Consciousness

We are living in a time in which we are facing our historical past, and in this process we are confronted by the importance of "telling the truth" about the issues surrounding racial justice in our country. It is also a time in which many of us are yearning to educate ourselves about the narratives that have not been presented in our history books. To that end, we are grateful for thought partners like Micia Mosely, founder of The Black Teacher Project and member of the National Equity Project, who continue to support our efforts in working towards racial justice in education.


Image source: Black Lives Matter at Schools

Resource Credits: The National Equity Project, laura marie thompson

Teacher Grant Resources

Applications Are Open! - Click here to learn more about how you can apply.




Upcoming Events and Professional Learning


  • Centering BIPOC Healers/Activists/Artists in Our Virtual Classrooms: A Resource Share -Join the conversation and sharing of resources as you begin to consider how you can invite other educators into your learning space. September 3rd, 11:00am- 12:00pm EDT Click here to RSVP


  • TC Community Offerings - Visit this link for upcoming virtual events at TC.


  • Black Teacher Back-to-School Design Lab - "At the Black Teacher Project, we recognize the importance of lifting up Black teachers as leaders in the re-imagination of schools. As we enter this school year of unprecedented times, we invite you to apply to be a participant in our virtual Black Teacher Back-to-School Design Lab..." Click here to apply. - Applications due by 9/7


  • Racial Relations For Educators PLC - Through a collaboration with Success In Motion, we are thrilled to be hosting a series of sessions aimed at providing a space for participants to discuss the history of race relations in America. Sessions will be led by guest facilitator, Professor Wendy Greene, credited for being the architect of the C.R.O.W.N Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair). If you are interested in joining this learning community, please click here to RSVP.


  • Financial Literacy Series - The life-changing work of taking control of our finances continues! This year, we have partnered with a financial literacy coach who will be working with us to develop a series of "deep dive" courses centered around improving and sustaining financial well-being. Join us in October as we look at credit scores and their relation to debt. Click here to tell us about other topics you'd like us to cover.


  • Virtual Intervisitations PLC - This past June, we worked with several teachers from UA Makers, The Queen School Of Inquiry, and I.S. 125 to pilot virtual intervisitations; the outcome was very favorable and we are thrilled to be able to continue this mode of connection and networking amongst educators. If you'd like to participate, please click here to RSVP. W will begin setting up in October.

Alumni Led Workshops

We are pleased to announce that Martha St.Jean, alumna of TR@TC, teacher leader, and racial justice advocate has agreed to facilitated a variety of workshops this fall. Please see the list below and stay tuned for dates and RSVP links.

  • Identity Part II - Reflecting on what it means to be a Teacher of Color (this is the second part of the August 25th workshop) - Taking place in mid-September

  • Black Beauty: Reclaiming our Power - A space of reflection on what it means to be beautiful. -Taking place in mid-September

  • Checking in on our Self-Care Part II- An affinity space for teachers of color - Taking place in October

  • Self-Care Intentions for the New Year - An affinity space for teachers of color - Taking place in December

Curriculum Resources

Culturally Responsive Education By Design

This summer, Zaretta Hammond, author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain, led several virtual sessions on equity and academic rigor. Click here to request access to recordings and join the waiting list for her upcoming PLC.

Digital Tools


TR@TC Literary Spotlight

Excerpt from Synopsis: "...inspires a new mindset around the power of emotions to transform our lives. Using science, passion, and lively storytelling, this book serves as a guide for understanding our own and others’ emotions, as well as provides innovative strategies for developing emotional intelligence in adults and children so that emotions help, rather than hinder, our success and well-being."

Excerpt from Synopsis: "In this powerful book, a pediatrician specializing in teen and adolescent medicine offers a breakthrough mindfulness program to help you deal with stress in healthy ways, improve communication, and reduce conflicts with family and friends. Being a teen is stressful Whether it's school, friends, or dating, the teen years are full of difficult changes--both mentally and physically. If you're like many teens, you may have difficulty dealing with stress in effective ways. You aren't alone, and there are things you can do to stay calm, no matter how stressful life becomes. All you need to do is stop, breathe, and be mindful and aware in the present moment..."

Excerpt from Synopsis: "Charlotte likes quiet. But wherever Charlotte goes, she is surrounded by noise, noise, noise—her yipping dog, Otto; the squeaky, creaky swings; the warbling, wailing sirens. Even in the library, children yammer and yell. Where can Charlotte find a quiet place? Sara Woolley’s magnificent watercolors bring Charlotte’s city to life when Otto leads her on a wild chase through the park. There, Charlotte discovers a quiet place where she never would have imagined..."

Teacher Wellness

Thanks to a partnership with Success In Motion, we are able to continue our self-care offerings on the virtual platform. These are FREE and open to all education professionals. Click here to sign up.


  • Mindfulness Mondays: Join us for restorative yoga and meditation. Every Monday 5:00-6:00pm

  • Wellness Wednesdays: Join us for cardio-based fitness. Every Wednesday 5:00-6:00pm

Congratulations Melida Maldonado-Peréz, TR@TC Alumna, Teacher Leader, and avid Yogi! We are so excited to be able to share your website on our newsletter!

Please visit Habit Yogi to learn about the many ways to continue working towards that "happy teacher glow." Stay tuned for TR@TC hosted virtual workshops this fall!

Managing Your Stress

On Monday, August 24th, Success In Motion partnered with us to host social worker and therapist Aishia Grevenberg who shared lots of helpful tips to support us in managing our stress. Pictured to the left is the HALT protocol for understanding triggers. She also shared how beat juice can be a natural energizer, while lemon balm and magnesium support restful sleep. We hope you'll join us for the next session in September.


Disclaimer: Please consult with your physician before trying any of these tips

The UFT Corner

  • Education in the Time of COVID - We want to be sure that you are feeling supported as you navigate all the uncertainty surrounding this school year. To that end, Amy Nelson, TR@TC Induction Mentor, Seasoned Educator, UFT Chapter Leader, and Teacher Sustainability Advocate has created a #KnowYourRights guide. Click here

  • Businesses Who Love Teachers - Special thanks to Stephanie Rivera (TR@TC Class of 2019) for sharing this amazing list of discounts for teachers. Click here to access.

  • PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION -  Are you ready to apply for your Professional Certification? Email jad2222@tc.columbia.edu for more information about this important career milestone.

  • NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION - After completing your 3rd year of teaching, you may want to apply for this advanced and prestigious certification. Devon Shaw, a TR@TC Alumnus, is leading National Board Certification workshops, through TR@TC. Email him at shaw.dts@gmail.com for details.

Get Your TC Alumni ID and Stay Connected!

  • Reserve rooms in the TC Library  (once we re-open)

  • Get access to TC Zoom alumni account

  • Activate your permanent gmail account

  • Access partner discounts

This newsletter is continuously evolving.Your feedback helps us make it a meaningful and relevant source of information. How are we doing? Anything else you’d like us to include in the newsletter? Click here to give us your feedback.

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