Author: Erica De Los Santos

Erica De Los Santos is a Learning Experience Designer with a wide range of experiences in education. From her work in the Peace Corps, to helping teachers as a SEL and Cultural Proficiency and Inclusiveness Specialist, she has developed a deep understanding of pedagogical practices that help teachers to propel all students to academic success. When she’s not working on classroom applications, Erica enjoys running and works to develop inclusive environments for other runners.

Exploring Nature’s Treasures: How National Parks Enrich Classroom Learning

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“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”  Frank Lloyd Wright As educators, we strive to create engaging and impactful learning experiences for our students that connects them to the real world. While classroom instruction plays a crucial role, the world beyond the school walls offers invaluable opportunities for growth … read more »

Celebrating the Power of Geekness: Bringing It into the Classroom and Beyond!

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Yesterday was Embrace Your Geekness Day, a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the power of being a geek and embracing our unique identities tied to geekdom. Whether you geek out over superheroes, science fiction, educational technology, or any other niche, it’s a reminder that our passions and interests make us who we are, and they … read more »

Celebrating Juneteenth in the Classroom: Commemorating Freedom and Celebrating Resilience

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Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do. Barack Obama As educators, you have the honor of imparting knowledge … read more »

Effective Strategies for Supporting English Language Learners in Your Classroom

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Rita Mae Brown’s quote demonstrates how learning a new language for English language learners (ELLs) is not just about communication but also about gaining insight into a new culture and way of life. Currently, ELLs are a growing population in U.S. public schools, with an average of 10 percent of students classified as ELLs nationwide … read more »

Empowering Autistic Students: Create Awareness and Inclusion for Autism Spectrum Disorder

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“It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.” Elaine Hall April is Autism Awareness Month when individuals, organizations, and communities unite to increase awareness and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As educators, it’s essential to support and celebrate autistic students and … read more »

Reimagining Tradition: Ideas for Celebrating World Storytelling Day with Technology

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“When we reject the single story, when we realize there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Storytelling has been an essential part of human communication for thousands of years. We have all probably experienced hearing stories that have been passed down from generation to … read more »

Celebrate Digital Learning Day 2023!

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“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.” – John Dewey Digital Learning Day is an annual event celebrating technology’s innovative use in education. Championed since its inception by All4Ed and usually held near the end of February, Digital Learning Day’s goal is to raise awareness about the benefit … read more »

Empowering Students through Transformative SEL

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“SEL is the universal life jacket, keeping students afloat and open to learning. Only when children learn in psychologically safe environments that nurture their emotion skills can they move from helplessness to resilience, from anxiety to action, from scattered to centered, from isolated to connected.” – Marc Brackett, Ph.D. Social and emotional learning (SEL) can … read more »

Celebrating Human Rights – Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All!

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My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. – Desmond Tutu, South African Theologian and Human Activist In December, we celebrate Universal Human Rights Month, which honors the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), an international document adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, … read more »

Sesame Street’s Influence on Education: What Can Educators Learn?

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“It’s not whether children learn from television, it’s what children learn from television…because everything that children see on television is teaching them something.” – Joan Ganz Cooney, co-creator of Sesame Street On November 10, 1969, Sesame Street made its television debut. Sesame Street. This revolutionary show has taught generations of young children various skills, from … read more »