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Innovative Education in VT

A blog exploring innovative school change by the UVM Tarrant Institute

  • ABOUT US
    • We stand against systemic racism.
    • Diversity Policy
    • The Tarrant Institute
    • Our staff
      • Penny Bishop
      • John Downes
      • Susan Hennessey
      • Audrey Homan
      • Emily Hoyler
      • Life LeGeros
      • Rachel Mark
      • Robin Merritt
      • Jeanie Phillips
      • Scott Thompson
      • Lucie delaBruere
    • Our schools
    • Our book
      • How to use this Educator’s Guide
      • Ch 1: Defining Personalized Learning
        • 1.1 The Three Pillars of Personalized Learning
        • 1.2 The Definition of a PLP
        • 1.3 New Student & Teacher Roles
      • Ch 2: PLPs Aren’t Just For The Teacher
        • 2.1 Knowing Students Well
        • 2.2 Avoid the Pitfalls!
      • Ch 3: Laying The Groundwork for PLPs
        • 3.1 What Are Your Pedagogical Priorities?
        • 3.2 Structures to Support Personalized Learning
      • Ch 4: Starting with the Learner Profile
      • Ch 5: Flexing Your Pathways
        • 5.1 Engaging Pedagogies for All
      • Ch. 6: Scaffolding for Equitable, Deeper Learning
      • Ch 7: PLPs & Proficiency-Based Assessment
      • Ch 8: Student-led PLP conferences
      • Ch 9: Sustaining Innovation
      • Chapter References
  • VIDEOS
    • Tech Tips
    • PLP videos
    • Proficiency-Based Learning Videos
    • Student-Led Conference Videos
  • PODCASTS
    • The 21st Century Classroom
    • #vted Reads
      • #vted Reads Videos
  • EVENTS & COURSES
  • RESOURCES
    • REMOTE LEARNING
    • PERSONALIZED LEARNING
      • PERSONALIZED LEARNING PLANS (PLPs)
      • FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS
      • PROFICIENCY-BASED EDUCATION
        • Learning Goals
        • Meaningful Instruction
        • Formative Assessment
        • Summative Assessment
    • Action research
    • Digital citizenship
    • Family & Community Involvement
    • Family communication
    • Flexible classrooms
    • Genius Hour
    • Identity
    • Makerspaces
    • Negotiated curriculum
    • Project-based learning (PBL)
    • Reflection
    • Scheduling
    • Service learning
    • Student-led conferences
    • Student voice
  • CONTACT
  • ARCHIVES

News

hado
News 

What does your rice smell like?

January 21, 2021January 21, 2021 Life LeGeros 0 Comments

My mom is into homeopathy and I am part Japanese. So for Christmas she gave me a book by Japanese

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News 

Setting goals with students for the new year

January 19, 2021 Rachel Mark 0 Comments

No matter what that new year looks like. At the start of a new year, we often think about our

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PD in a pandemic
News 

Why PD in a pandemic?

January 17, 2021January 17, 2021 Evy Gray 0 Comments LearningLabVT, Middle Grades Institute

In the midst of a global pandemic teachers are adapting in a multitude of ways. We have had to fundamentally

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resources for responding to January 6th
News 

Resources for responding to January 6th

January 8, 2021January 19, 2021 The Tarrant Institute 0 Comments

As ever-increasing cracks in the foundation of our democracy reveal weakness and corruption, so too do these revelations allow the

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return routines: "The Return of the Light", by Emily Hoyler. All photo rights reserved.
News 

The Return of the Light

January 7, 2021January 7, 2021 Emily Hoyler 0 Comments

Editorial Note: This post was scheduled for publication prior to the events in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. As

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one breath at a time
News 

One breath at a time is an acceptable plan

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 Audrey Homan 0 Comments

This is not a new year’s post. And everything seems to have gone terribly wrong that can But one breath

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winter reading 2020
News 

Winter Break Reading, 2020 edition

December 15, 2020December 15, 2020 The Tarrant Institute 0 Comments

While most of the time, we’re looking forward to the winter part of our winter reading break, this year it’s

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difficult conversations about the election
News 

How to have difficult conversations about the election

December 9, 2020December 10, 2020 Life LeGeros Audrey Homan 0 Comments

It’s not you; difficult conversations are a lot right now. While it’s fair to say that the history of the

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mindfulness activities for advisory
News 

7 mindfulness activities for advisory

December 2, 2020December 2, 2020 Rachel Mark 0 Comments advisory

Now, more than ever. Many schools have an advisory structure to promote strong relationships and a sense of close community.

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News 

Trust the Science: Using brain-based learning to upgrade our educational OS

November 23, 2020November 24, 2020 Bill Rich 0 Comments

Spoiler alert: When we adjust learning conditions to be more in sync with the known laws of brain-based learning, learning

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you deserve a break
News 

Dear educators: you deserve a break. 

November 20, 2020November 20, 2020 Rachel Mark 0 Comments

As we enter the week of Thanksgiving, please take care of yourselves and find time for rest and solace. You

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thanksgiving
News Webinars 

De-Colonizing Your Thanksgiving Curriculum

November 4, 2020November 12, 2020 Audrey Homan 0 Comments

De-Colonizing Your Thanksgiving Curriculum is the title of an interactive online workshop for educators offered in late October and early

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thanksgiving t-shirt
News 

One teacher, one t-shirt

October 12, 2020October 12, 2020 Emily Hoyler 0 Comments

Hello friends, The leaves have already peaked up here on the mountain where I live. And the thermometer reads a

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You got this
News 

Advisory for educators?

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020 Scott Thompson 1 Comment

Physical, social, and emotional health are the top priorities in our learning communities. Period. End of story. Educators have been

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keep saying their names
News 

Keep saying their names.

September 29, 2020 The Tarrant Institute 0 Comments social justice

This has been a tough few weeks. Even in relative terms to 2020, it was “a week.” Our sense of

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A Southern Vermont teacher and student connect social distance style.
News 

Centering care and love

September 11, 2020 Jeanie Phillips 0 Comments

Schools have been preparing for students all summer: developing protocols for handwashing and bathroom use, deploying hand sanitizer stations, hanging

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not all rainbows and unicorns
News 

Not all rainbows and unicorns

August 13, 2020August 13, 2020 Life LeGeros 0 Comments #vtgrateful

Hello there, educator friends and colleagues! I hope this note finds you in a good moment. Good moments are crucial

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2020 summer reading
News 

2020 Summer Reading with TIIE

July 3, 2020July 3, 2020 The Tarrant Institute 5 Comments

Emily Hoyler It seems my ‘to-read’ pile is growing faster than I am reading. Luckily it’s summer. These longer days

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relationships and relevance
News 

Relationships and relevance, once again.

June 15, 2020 Nancy Doda 1 Comment

What has taken shape in the world with COVID 19 has given me pause to wonder what matters most in

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you made it
News 

You made it.

June 12, 2020June 12, 2020 Katy Farber 0 Comments

  Everyone who is watching this? Deserves a high five, a pat on the back or the happy dance of

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News 

Everything is not canceled.

May 27, 2020May 27, 2020 Rachel Mark 0 Comments chickens, resilience

I think I speak for many when I share that I have experienced innumerable emotions, moods, and feelings during this

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closure
News 

5 ways to bring closure to this school year

May 26, 2020May 26, 2020 Life LeGeros 0 Comments

Ah, the end of a school year. Always frenetic, and beautiful, and tear-filled and inspiring. Filled with rituals that educators

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how are you
News 

How are you?

May 2, 2020May 4, 2020 Jeanie Phillips 12 Comments The Joy Project

I mean really, how are you? More than anything I wish I could sit down with you, face to face,

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hello from the new normal: Professor Auggie assists.
News 

Hello from the new normal

March 31, 2020March 31, 2020 Life LeGeros 2 Comments

Hello friends. I’m waving hello from my seat on this roller coaster called the “new normal.” We got the message

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being a student
News 

4 things I learned by being a student again

March 9, 2020March 11, 2020 Emily Hoyler 0 Comments empathy

Being a student again is harder than I expected, and it’s also been quite revealing Recently, I decided to go

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how do you stay balanced
News 

How do you stay balanced?

March 5, 2020March 5, 2020 Scott Thompson 0 Comments

Balancing my professional and personal lives is something I am flat out terrible at. I know it’s hard for me and

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middle school movement equity
News 

On equity in the middle school movement

February 10, 2020February 25, 2020 Life LeGeros 4 Comments

A critical lens The middle school movement has been a powerful force for positive change. It’s rooted in progressive education,

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winter greetings
News 

Warm winter greetings, friends

February 6, 2020February 25, 2020 Emily Hoyler 2 Comments Compassionate Systems Framework, winter

Do you have your own yearly cycle of internal seasons? I think I’m realizing I do: spring is a time

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Learning Wall
News 

A moment of collective efficacy

February 5, 2020February 6, 2020 Scott Thompson 0 Comments Charlotte Central School, Collective Efficacy, School Plans

What would it look like if your school plan was alive and represented in much of your day to day

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reboot
News 

Reboot, not resolutions

January 7, 2020February 25, 2020 Emily Hoyler 1 Comment emotional resilience, new year, resolutions

Hello there! Happy New Year! We hope you had a relaxing and restorative break filled with whatever it is that

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News 

Wishing you a relaxing & restorative winter break

December 18, 2019February 25, 2020 Susan Hennessey 2 Comments

Much happening this week in our worlds. And equally much to look forward to as we approach not only school

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News 

Winter flavors for 2019

December 16, 2019February 25, 2020 The Tarrant Institute 1 Comment

Yes yes, usually we do book recommendations for the upcoming winter break. However, let’s try something new: flavors of winter

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Vermont students use codable robots during the #HourofCode
News 

Codable robots for storytelling

December 11, 2019December 12, 2019 Lucie deLaBruere 0 Comments Hour of Code, robotics, Shaftsbury Elementary School

Although digital tutorials and online coding platforms are great tools, adding physical objects to the mix brings a new dimension

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News 

A very happy Thanksgiving

November 27, 2019February 25, 2020 Katy Farber 0 Comments self-care, Thanksgiving

You made it to break! The longest stretch of the school year with no breaks? That’s *behind* you. And we

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Learning Lab VT News 

Meet Learning Lab VT 2019!

November 6, 2019May 1, 2020 Susan Hennessey Bill Rich 1 Comment

Now that you understand the why of proficiency-based and personalized learning, are you ready to see the how? Learning Lab

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what are you afraid of
News 

Educators, what are you afraid of?

October 29, 2019February 25, 2020 Scott Thompson 2 Comments fearless and flawless

This past weekend started like many others. An early morning trip to the local hardware store with coffee and daughter

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News 

3 ways to ensure equity is at the heart of your work

September 9, 2019September 9, 2019 Scott Thompson 0 Comments Act 77, equity, equity audits, Equity Literacy Framework, Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, Paul Gorski, Teaching Tolerance, Vermont Agency of Education

  VTDigger reports that Vermont Secretary of Education Dan French said “From our standpoint, we portray districts being on a

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News 

Summertiiiiiiiiiiiiime

July 1, 2019July 2, 2020 The Tarrant Institute 1 Comment summer reading

And the reading is eeeeeasy. Time to pull out your bicycle, kayak, or barbecue. Or curl up in the hammock,

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Personalized Learning in the Middle Grades: A Guide for Classroom Teachers and School Leaders book cover
News 

Tarrant Institute writes the book on Personalized Learning in the Middle Grades

June 21, 2019October 7, 2019 Audrey Homan 1 Comment

The Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education’s recent book, Personalized Learning in the Middle Grades, published by Harvard Education Press, places

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News 

Building discussion skills through Socratic Seminar

June 17, 2019September 16, 2019 Marisa Kiefaber Emily Hoyler 0 Comments

Engaged, on-topic…and talking over each other? Here’s a scenario: student book groups.  Everyone’s read their assigned chapters and prepared for

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News 

Vermont schools have a transportation equity problem.

April 26, 2019April 30, 2019 Katy Farber 0 Comments #fleetofvans, Act 77, equity, rural schooling, transportation

#fleetofvans When I travel to schools around Vermont, I hear many versions of the same concerns: Going anywhere from our

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Battle Physics League
News 

Nevermind the physics: it’s all about collaboration

April 22, 2019April 25, 2019 Jeanie Phillips 0 Comments Green Mountain Union High School, Leland & Gray Union Middle & High School, math, physics, projectile launchers, The Dorset School, transferable skills, trigonometry

Battle Physics hosts first multi-school tournament That is just what Allan Garvin and Becky Bushey did to raise the stakes

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Personalized Learning in the Middle Grades: A Guide for Classroom Teachers and School Leaders
News 

Personalized Learning in the Middle Grades

March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 Audrey Homan 0 Comments Harvard Education Press, our book, Personalized Learning in the Middle Grades

How do educators personalize learning to engage, inspire & motivate students?   We’re pleased to share that our new book,

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Life LeGeros with books
News 

2018 TIIE Holiday Reading

December 20, 2018December 23, 2018 The Tarrant Institute 0 Comments

One of the best things about winter break is the chance to slow down and, for readers, the chance to

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summer mindsets
News 

5 summer mindsets to bring into this year

September 12, 2018September 11, 2018 Katy Farber 1 Comment back-to-school, mindfulness, summer

It’s September. Your feet have probably not stopped moving for a few weeks, with the start of school, the meetings,

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Laura Botte Morning Check-In
News 

What will your #1st5days be like this year?

August 20, 2018December 7, 2018 Audrey Homan 0 Comments #1st5days, #1stfivedays

Welcome back! You’re doing amazing. Oh those heady #1st5days of school. So much shrieking, so much laughter — and students

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Tarrant Institute summer reading 2018
News 

Summer reading 2018

June 22, 2018July 2, 2020 The Tarrant Institute 0 Comments

Get your red hot summer reads right here! Or your chilling-in-the-AC-far-away-from-sunlight summer reads. We don’t judge. For educators, summer is

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News 

New year? Time for a reset

January 2, 2018January 3, 2018 Emily Hoyler 0 Comments developmental designs

The Developmental Designs remix Ever notice how for some kids Mondays are a lot tougher than Wednesdays? Any time there’s

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News 

Our 2017 Holiday Reading Guide

December 20, 2017December 20, 2017 The Tarrant Institute 1 Comment

A very happy holidays and good reading for all There’s nothing like relaxing with a good book for the holidays.

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News 

Self-care for educators

December 8, 2017December 9, 2019 Audrey Homan 1 Comment #VTed, Storify, twitter chats

4 ways to stay well and focused heading into the holidays It’s that time of the year again: you’re almost

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News 

Happy Thanksgiving from the Tarrant Institute

November 24, 2017November 28, 2017 Audrey Homan 0 Comments

We’re #vtgrateful for you This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for the entire #vted community. For everyone working hard in supporting innovative

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News 

#everydaycourage

August 22, 2017November 21, 2018 Rachel Mark Katy Farber 1 Comment #everydaycourage, back-to-school

It’s time we celebrated it in our schools. When we walk into Vermont schools, we see it. It’s there, every time,

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News 

Summer reading time!

July 14, 2017January 7, 2019 Audrey Homan 1 Comment

Summertime, and the reading is easy Or is it? We checked in with a few of the folks here at

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News 

Dynamic Landscapes 2017: the power of authentic #vted student voice

May 24, 2017August 23, 2017 Audrey Homan 0 Comments

Standard 3-part story-driven post: 1) what it is, 2) what it looks like in a school, 3) how to do it in your school

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News 

Profiles in Educator Excellence: Laura Botte

December 10, 2016June 27, 2017 Audrey Homan 0 Comments Edmunds Middle School

Recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching Laura Botte, a 6th grade math educator at

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News 

Innovative VT educators in the news

November 13, 2016 Audrey Homan 0 Comments

#vted = #vtexcellence A number of Vermont educators have been in the news lately, achieving and being recognized for the

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News 

Middle Grades Institute Reflections

July 13, 2016July 13, 2016 Katy Farber 0 Comments Middle Grades Institute (MGI)

I’ve just returned from the Middle Grades Institute, and honestly, I am still reeling. My brain is finally slowing down

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News 

Education, funny families and international espionage

June 28, 2016 Scott Thompson 0 Comments reflection

My 2016 Summer Reading List There are many thinks to look forward to as summer approaches. As an educator, I

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News 

Summer: sun, sand and systems thinking

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016 Life LeGeros 2 Comments twitter chats

Announcing the 1st annual Tarrant Institute twitter read-along Summer is a great time for camping, sunsets and creemees. A great

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News 

Will we see you at Dynamic Landscapes 2016?

May 22, 2016 Robin Merritt 0 Comments Brattleboro Area Middle School, Crossett Brook Middle School, Dynamic Landscapes, Mill River Union High School, Shelburne Community School

Check out these dynamic educators Are you heading to sunny Burlington, VT this Monday and Tuesday (no really, it will

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News The 21st Century Classroom 

How Vermont middle grades educators are powering up PLPs this summer

April 8, 2016February 26, 2019 Audrey Homan 2 Comments Middle Grades Institute (MGI)

Why the 2016 Middle Grades Institute may be the most important one yet New podcast ep: We visit with educators

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News 

Facilitating community conversations about education

April 6, 2016April 6, 2016 Life LeGeros 5 Comments Harwood Union High School, Washington West Supervisory Union

4 lessons learned A few months back, I wrote about how the Washington West Supervisory Union (WWSU) here in Vermont

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News 

4 reasons to make the #vted twitter chat part of your PLN

February 1, 2016February 1, 2016 Audrey Homan 12 Comments #VTed, PLN, Vermont

Asynchronous, flexible & friendly professional development You’ve read the recaps, seen the hashtag fly by and maybe even dipped a toe

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News 

How online education can find a path forward

January 29, 2016 Mark W. Olofson 7 Comments Khan Academy, online learning

In her excellent memoir Rethinking Normal, Katie Rain Hill describes her experience with online learning: I’d click on one tab,

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UPCOMING EVENTS

 

  • 1/23: 2021 MIDDLE GRADES CONFERENCE #mgcollab
  • 1/28 @ 3pm EST: Innovating in the Classroom with Interactive 3D Tools
  • 2/4 @ 3:30pm EST: Who’s Outside? Building an Anti-Racist Bookshelf
  • 2/9 @ 4pm EST: De-Colonializing Place-Based Education
  • 2/10 @ 7pm EST: Facilitating Hard Conversations
UVM Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education online events

Recent posts

  • What does your rice smell like?
  • Setting goals with students for the new year
  • Why PD in a pandemic?
  • Children of Blood and Bone on #vted Reads
  • Lessons learned from a community conversation on race

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