US history

How I Spent July 4 (or, How I Learned to Stop Trump Derangement Syndrome and Love the Semiquincentennial)

July 6, 2026

Happy Semiquincentennial, Everyone! First, I apologize for the long gap in posting. I was just teaching so much in April-June, plus lots of family and other things going on, that I just didn’t have the time or energy or mindset to post on the blog. I teach in a year-round school, so classes just ended … More How I Spent July 4 (or, How I Learned to Stop Trump Derangement Syndrome and Love the Semiquincentennial)

Welcome to the Year of the Fire Horse

February 23, 2026

Last week was the Lunar New Year for many countries in Asia–and for Asian immigrants across the world, including the United States. While I am not of Asian descent, I like to celebrate everything. My son was an Asian Studies minor in college, and has spent a total of almost a year on study abroad … More Welcome to the Year of the Fire Horse

Broadway Blessings #4: Homeschool with Hamilton

April 24, 2020

Back in 2016, the first year that Hamilton: An American Musical appeared on Broadway but before it had gained widespread fame, I played a few video clips of the show for my high school literature class. They knew nothing about the musical, but they were spell-bound. The very idea of an ethnically-diverse cast telling the … More Broadway Blessings #4: Homeschool with Hamilton