Thoughts by Hannah Michelle

Yes, as it draws to a close for me today, I am technically talking about “this” summer of 2020. However, I have a feeling this summer will be referred to as “that” summer. “That summer” of the pandemic.   “That summer” of civil unrest.   “That summer” of change.   … “That summer” Lebron won another championship (fingers crossed).   In times of transition, I think it is natural to reflect. This past week, I have been reflecting on many things, but specifically on this summer and how much it has changed me. Living through a pandemic, its economic fallout, and watching racial inequities “come to light” has been challenging for many, to say the least.   Yes, the pandemic obviously impacted me and changed my life. I was supposed to be moving, and my entire plan for college changed again. However, I have to be thankful each day that I and my loved ones have remained healthy so far. No matter how down I can feel somedays about my plans changing, I have to remember how ...

Content warning: sexual assault, brief mention of incarceration Roughly two and a half years ago, I shared that I, too, am a survivor of sexual assault. I have not written in any public manner about it since that initial post. While I try to be fairly open about it, because it is not something I should be ashamed of, it is not a topic I enjoy discussing. I do appreciate that when I first wrote about it, other women began telling me their stories – I know there is a power in owning being a survivor.   However, this summer, I have also realized that my experience as a survivor, why I never reported, and the larger #MeToo movement hold powerful parallels to the current Black Lives Matter movement and its calls to defund the police and beyond.   ___   My assault happened in the fall semester of 2016. At that time, things were different than now: both in the world and in my understanding of it. Personally, I had never had any form of comprehensive sex education and did not hav...

My family is one of educators. My sister and her husband are both science teachers. My mom is a paraprofessional in an elementary school, specifically working in kindergarten the last few years. On top of that, my younger sister just started high school. Even in my extended family, my aunts were teachers, and I have a cousin that works in higher education.   To say the least, I have grown up surrounded by educators. In the past few years, I have been able to better understand the sacrifices my loved ones (and other educators) make working in that field. I have watched them reach into their own pockets to pay for supplies and supports for their classrooms, despite not having huge paychecks. I’ve watched them spend time in the evenings, on the weekends, and over the summers working to better support their students. I have also watched the general public talk down about their profession. I have seen budgets cut and adjustments made.   I have seen their worry. I’ve seen their worr...