Did you know single people can have save-the-dates too? I do. Every month I save my own dates to prioritize having some fun. Save-the-dates are pre-invitations engaged couples send out before wedding invitations to let their guests know about their upcoming nuptials. I just send mine out via text to some single and non-single friends who are able to attend whatever fun events or activities may be going on. I don’t go too over the top. A bachelorette save-the-date can be as simple and low key as getting dressed up with some girlfriends and going out for a night out on the town or staying indoors in sweats and watching Netflix. Your save-the-dates can be whatever you want them to be, so as long as you’re having fun. You can go solo or be in the company of some cool people. Just be sure you’re doing special things for you. Block off a few weekends in your own calendar dedicated to some saved dates. There’s always something fun and creative to do and as a bachelorette, your time belongs to you. And your time for fun, whether for a season or a lifetime, is just as important and exciting as a couple heading down the aisle. Have you sent your save-the-dates yet? If not, what are you waiting for?
I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...