A Filipinx Lens on ECE

A Filipinx Lens on ECE

“Being vulnerable and sharing a piece of yourself might be the hardest thing we do as humans. What if we are rejected? What if we aren’t liked? What if we are othered? Being part of a group that is often lumped in with others, the world often forgets just how brilliant and beautiful our people are. In this interview, Mike […]

We Are in Mourning

We Are in Mourning

Preface: This blog is a reflection of the conversation educators in River Room at Hilltop had with their 3-5 year olds when news broke that the remains of 215 Indigenous children were found.  Acknowledgements: I want to start by honoring and thanking Queen Anne’s Program Supervisor, Theresa (she/her), an Indigenous womxn from the Crow Nation, whom in a conversation last […]

Language is a Construct

Language is a Construct

It wasn’t only until 1990 that the United States adopted the Native Americans Language Act. That means for the last 400+ years prior to that, not only did we try to eradicate Indigenous identity or culture, but we had policies and systems in place that was meant to erase their language…  Language is something we often take for granted. But with […]

Risk-taking and Social Activism (Part 1)

Risk-taking and Social Activism (Part 1)

This is a two-part series about fostering social activism in young children. In Part 1, Hilltop educator Lauren Mayo (she/her) shares some of her own experiences learning about injustice and activism as a young child. She challenges readers to reflect on the ways that they are taking risks with their own children – at home or in classroom settings – […]

White America (Almost) Stole My Soul

White America (Almost) Stole My Soul

“Which part of you do you leave at the door in order to survive?” – Michael Browne (he/him), Community Engagement Manager at Hilltop  This question has made an impact in the way I think about my own identity. The first time I heard it out loud was on Episode Two (Deathmetal & Toddlers) on the podcast, Napcast, (Napcast is a […]

Can Kids Go to Jail?

Can Kids Go to Jail?

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″] Children are naturally curious about things that we adults sometimes have a challenging time wrapping our minds around. And children sometimes feel even more curious as our own discomfort grows. Recently, despite my own discomfort, I decided to engage with a subject that stirs distressing feelings for me: […]

Talking to Toddlers During a Time of Crisis

Talking to Toddlers During a Time of Crisis

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″] Covid-19 descended upon Seattle, seeping in like a fog first in small ways, then eventually in signals we couldn’t ignore. Stores were empty, hours at our center were limited. A constant state of interruption became the norm. Children were being told constantly to get up and wash their hands, cover […]

Creating LGBTQ+ Schools Resources

Creating LGBTQ+ Schools Resources

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.101″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.101″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.21.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” z_index_tablet=”500″] PREFACE: This space has been created for educators, administrators, parents, and youth advocates and attendees of “Creating LGBTQ+ and Gender-Inclusive Schools: A Human Rights Campaign” as a forum for sharing experiences and reflections as they work through these resources. On […]

Indigenizing Edu – Resources

Indigenizing Edu – Resources

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.101″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.101″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.20.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off”] PREFACE: This space has been created for educators, administrators, parents, and youth advocates and attendees of “Indigenizing Education: A Discussion of Early Learning in Native America” as a forum for sharing experiences and reflections as they work through these resources. On […]