Mrs. D.
@thepolkadotteacher.bsky.social
Wife to the surfing chaplain.
Mom to 3 amazing adults.
High school AP - former Ed. Specialist.
Lover of beaches, birds, long walks, great books, thrifting, and polka dots.
Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly.
Mom to 3 amazing adults.
High school AP - former Ed. Specialist.
Lover of beaches, birds, long walks, great books, thrifting, and polka dots.
Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly.
Ms. Rachel is the next Dolly. 💖
Ms. Rachel: “We’re putting kids in detention centers where they have water that makes them sick and they’re being traumatized and the pediatricians I’m talking to are saying they’re being tortured. We’re torturing kids 0-3 when their brain’s rapidly developing. It’s a choice”
September 26, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Ms. Rachel is the next Dolly. 💖
Reposted by Mrs. D.
great piece. man social media is a cancer themomoftheyear.substack.com/p/im-the-mom...
I’m the Mom in That Viral Giants Clip. Let Me Tell You About My Husband.
You saw me carrying our baby and food. There was more happening in our family that night.
themomoftheyear.substack.com
September 26, 2026 at 1:40 PM
great piece. man social media is a cancer themomoftheyear.substack.com/p/im-the-mom...
Reposted by Mrs. D.
There is such a profound difference between a classroom assessment where a teacher is sitting silently at their desk or "proctoring" versus an assessment where a teacher is spending the entire time circling the room supporting, checking in, encouraging, etc.
(Hint: the latter is the better one!)
(Hint: the latter is the better one!)
September 26, 2026 at 2:28 PM
There is such a profound difference between a classroom assessment where a teacher is sitting silently at their desk or "proctoring" versus an assessment where a teacher is spending the entire time circling the room supporting, checking in, encouraging, etc.
(Hint: the latter is the better one!)
(Hint: the latter is the better one!)
Reposted by Mrs. D.
18. No one alive has seen a president choose to walk into the teeth of American selfishness. No one alive has seen a president pretend it won't be deadly.
www.editorialboard.com/no-one-alive...
www.editorialboard.com/no-one-alive...
No one alive has seen a president choose to walk into the teeth of American greed
It's a bold move. Plus AMA on impeachment and Dems stopping the grift.
www.editorialboard.com
September 25, 2026 at 11:44 AM
18. No one alive has seen a president choose to walk into the teeth of American selfishness. No one alive has seen a president pretend it won't be deadly.
www.editorialboard.com/no-one-alive...
www.editorialboard.com/no-one-alive...
Reposted by Mrs. D.
2026 was the hottest summer on record since records began in 1895.
Shockingly, Republicans are trying to stop ALL federal heat safety protection regs-NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
HR6213 prohibits OSHA from creating or enforcing ANY national heat safety standard.
Let's stop this! 1/
Shockingly, Republicans are trying to stop ALL federal heat safety protection regs-NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
HR6213 prohibits OSHA from creating or enforcing ANY national heat safety standard.
Let's stop this! 1/
September 25, 2026 at 12:31 AM
2026 was the hottest summer on record since records began in 1895.
Shockingly, Republicans are trying to stop ALL federal heat safety protection regs-NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
HR6213 prohibits OSHA from creating or enforcing ANY national heat safety standard.
Let's stop this! 1/
Shockingly, Republicans are trying to stop ALL federal heat safety protection regs-NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
HR6213 prohibits OSHA from creating or enforcing ANY national heat safety standard.
Let's stop this! 1/
Reposted by Mrs. D.
"House Republicans will continue to hold Hunter Biden’s feet to the fire until we have his testimony...no one – not even the president’s son – is above the law.” - Tom Emmer, 1.17.24
"Don Jr is a private citizen and businessman so this unwarranted attack will go nowhere," Tom Emmer, 9.23.26
"Don Jr is a private citizen and businessman so this unwarranted attack will go nowhere," Tom Emmer, 9.23.26
September 24, 2026 at 12:53 PM
"House Republicans will continue to hold Hunter Biden’s feet to the fire until we have his testimony...no one – not even the president’s son – is above the law.” - Tom Emmer, 1.17.24
"Don Jr is a private citizen and businessman so this unwarranted attack will go nowhere," Tom Emmer, 9.23.26
"Don Jr is a private citizen and businessman so this unwarranted attack will go nowhere," Tom Emmer, 9.23.26
Reposted by Mrs. D.
Today I asked my first period to help me put chairs down and someone asked, "Do we get PBIS points for this?"
Which is exactly why I hate PBIS points.
As grades are to learning, PBIS points are to behavior.
Short term facade of benefits with more concerning long-term consequences.
Which is exactly why I hate PBIS points.
As grades are to learning, PBIS points are to behavior.
Short term facade of benefits with more concerning long-term consequences.
September 3, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Today I asked my first period to help me put chairs down and someone asked, "Do we get PBIS points for this?"
Which is exactly why I hate PBIS points.
As grades are to learning, PBIS points are to behavior.
Short term facade of benefits with more concerning long-term consequences.
Which is exactly why I hate PBIS points.
As grades are to learning, PBIS points are to behavior.
Short term facade of benefits with more concerning long-term consequences.
"She added up the tuition she’d paid Guidepost over the years — almost $200,000. She’d paid the money so her daughters could get a good education, but now she felt she’d been duped."
Interesting that people believe because something is expensive, it is better than something they can get for free.
Interesting that people believe because something is expensive, it is better than something they can get for free.
Inside the Outrageous Collapse of a ‘Montessori Ponzi’ www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/b...
Inside the $440 Million Collapse of Guidepost Montessori (Gift Article)
A man with a vision set out to revolutionize preschool. It became a $440 million fiasco.
www.nytimes.com
September 13, 2026 at 6:06 PM
"She added up the tuition she’d paid Guidepost over the years — almost $200,000. She’d paid the money so her daughters could get a good education, but now she felt she’d been duped."
Interesting that people believe because something is expensive, it is better than something they can get for free.
Interesting that people believe because something is expensive, it is better than something they can get for free.
Gas is $5.69/gallon here in San Diego county and our president is spending my tax dollars on this?!! 🤬😡
Yikes! That ballroom isn’t going to complement the White House. It’s going to overpower it.
Look at the scale of this thing. The people’s house is being swallowed by one man’s monument to himself.
Look at the scale of this thing. The people’s house is being swallowed by one man’s monument to himself.
September 13, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Gas is $5.69/gallon here in San Diego county and our president is spending my tax dollars on this?!! 🤬😡
That burger you just ordered...
Diesel brought the seed to grow feed for the cattle.
Diesel delivered the feed to the ranch for the cattle.
Diesel delivered the cattle to the processing plant.
Diesel delivered the beef to the distributor.
Diesel delivered the beef to restuarant.
You pay for diesel.
Diesel brought the seed to grow feed for the cattle.
Diesel delivered the feed to the ranch for the cattle.
Diesel delivered the cattle to the processing plant.
Diesel delivered the beef to the distributor.
Diesel delivered the beef to restuarant.
You pay for diesel.
This was all so avoidable.
Trump's reckless war of choice in Iran has been an embarrassing national tragedy that has cost us in American lives, economic stability and affordability, and international credibility.
#ResistTrump
Trump's reckless war of choice in Iran has been an embarrassing national tragedy that has cost us in American lives, economic stability and affordability, and international credibility.
#ResistTrump
September 13, 2026 at 4:50 PM
That burger you just ordered...
Diesel brought the seed to grow feed for the cattle.
Diesel delivered the feed to the ranch for the cattle.
Diesel delivered the cattle to the processing plant.
Diesel delivered the beef to the distributor.
Diesel delivered the beef to restuarant.
You pay for diesel.
Diesel brought the seed to grow feed for the cattle.
Diesel delivered the feed to the ranch for the cattle.
Diesel delivered the cattle to the processing plant.
Diesel delivered the beef to the distributor.
Diesel delivered the beef to restuarant.
You pay for diesel.
Reposted by Mrs. D.
Trump is tearing the government apart—then pointing to the wreckage and saying, “See? The government doesn’t work.”
That’s like setting a house on fire and blaming the house.
We can’t let him get away with it.
That’s like setting a house on fire and blaming the house.
We can’t let him get away with it.
September 12, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Trump is tearing the government apart—then pointing to the wreckage and saying, “See? The government doesn’t work.”
That’s like setting a house on fire and blaming the house.
We can’t let him get away with it.
That’s like setting a house on fire and blaming the house.
We can’t let him get away with it.
Reposted by Mrs. D.
Cheat like hell is the Trump family motto.
The president ordered supporters to raise their right hands, proclaim him the greatest president in history, and promise to “cheat like hell” before warning nonvoters that they would “go to hell.”
Trump Makes Convention Crowd Swear Creepy Loyalty Oath to Him
The president ordered supporters to raise their right hands, proclaim him the greatest president in history, and promise to “cheat like hell” before warning nonvoters that they would “go to hell.”
meidasnews.com
September 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Cheat like hell is the Trump family motto.
Hi.
Public school teacher here in California.
This is an unhinged lie.
My wood and my soul are well.
Thank you.
Public school teacher here in California.
This is an unhinged lie.
My wood and my soul are well.
Thank you.
Tim Scott: "Think about how dangerous states like California [are] that want to take away your kids if you don't agree w/pronouns the schools chooses for your kids. They're coming for our culture. If you don't want to stand up & fight for the soul of this country, your wood is wet. It's that simple"
September 12, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Hi.
Public school teacher here in California.
This is an unhinged lie.
My wood and my soul are well.
Thank you.
Public school teacher here in California.
This is an unhinged lie.
My wood and my soul are well.
Thank you.
Reposted by Mrs. D.
Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting 20 firefighters at Engine 205 Ladder 118 in Brooklyn Heights, and hearing about their experiences working in the New York City Fire Department, including the unimaginable losses they suffered almost 25 years ago.
August 12, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting 20 firefighters at Engine 205 Ladder 118 in Brooklyn Heights, and hearing about their experiences working in the New York City Fire Department, including the unimaginable losses they suffered almost 25 years ago.
Reposted by Mrs. D.
"Don't give up on me."
That is what one student wrote in this final question of our opening survey, reminding me once again just how important it is to create spaces for students to communicate to you as a teacher what they need from you.
A response I'm not going to soon forget...
That is what one student wrote in this final question of our opening survey, reminding me once again just how important it is to create spaces for students to communicate to you as a teacher what they need from you.
A response I'm not going to soon forget...
September 11, 2026 at 12:25 AM
"Don't give up on me."
That is what one student wrote in this final question of our opening survey, reminding me once again just how important it is to create spaces for students to communicate to you as a teacher what they need from you.
A response I'm not going to soon forget...
That is what one student wrote in this final question of our opening survey, reminding me once again just how important it is to create spaces for students to communicate to you as a teacher what they need from you.
A response I'm not going to soon forget...
Reposted by Mrs. D.
Criselda Vasquez, American, The New American Gothic, 2017, oil on canvas, 72 x 48 in, private collection
The artist's father, portrayed in the painting, was kidnapped by ICE on 31 March 2026
The artist's father, portrayed in the painting, was kidnapped by ICE on 31 March 2026
September 7, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Criselda Vasquez, American, The New American Gothic, 2017, oil on canvas, 72 x 48 in, private collection
The artist's father, portrayed in the painting, was kidnapped by ICE on 31 March 2026
The artist's father, portrayed in the painting, was kidnapped by ICE on 31 March 2026
Homeschoolmaxxing
SPECIAL REPORT
Last month, Alpha School invited people to follow student social media accounts "if curious about life in our high schools." I accepted their offer.
What I've found shocks me. Forget the AI and ask instead: Is Alpha Schools a cult?
Follow along for a summary of my findings.
Last month, Alpha School invited people to follow student social media accounts "if curious about life in our high schools." I accepted their offer.
What I've found shocks me. Forget the AI and ask instead: Is Alpha Schools a cult?
Follow along for a summary of my findings.
SPECIAL REPORT: My So-Called Alpha School
What is it like to be a student in Alpha School’s high school boot camp?
buildcognitiveresonance.substack.com
September 8, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Homeschoolmaxxing
Reposted by Mrs. D.
When we fail our teachers we fail our kids
August 29, 2026 at 2:56 PM
When we fail our teachers we fail our kids
Reposted by Mrs. D.
NEW: Teachers earned 25.2% less than comparable college graduates in 2025, according to our new report with @cepr.org.
This decades-long teacher pay penalty has taken a heavy toll on public education.
1/4
This decades-long teacher pay penalty has taken a heavy toll on public education.
1/4
August 26, 2026 at 1:26 PM
NEW: Teachers earned 25.2% less than comparable college graduates in 2025, according to our new report with @cepr.org.
This decades-long teacher pay penalty has taken a heavy toll on public education.
1/4
This decades-long teacher pay penalty has taken a heavy toll on public education.
1/4
Reposted by Mrs. D.
REMINDER: Mitch McConnell hasn’t been seen or heard from in now 73 days. Yet he still:
•Has his job
•Gets paid, and
•Gets free world-class healthcare
The man who voted against a living wage, against universal healthcare, & against guaranteed paid leave—gets
all three as he needs it most.😐
•Has his job
•Gets paid, and
•Gets free world-class healthcare
The man who voted against a living wage, against universal healthcare, & against guaranteed paid leave—gets
all three as he needs it most.😐
August 27, 2026 at 2:57 AM
REMINDER: Mitch McConnell hasn’t been seen or heard from in now 73 days. Yet he still:
•Has his job
•Gets paid, and
•Gets free world-class healthcare
The man who voted against a living wage, against universal healthcare, & against guaranteed paid leave—gets
all three as he needs it most.😐
•Has his job
•Gets paid, and
•Gets free world-class healthcare
The man who voted against a living wage, against universal healthcare, & against guaranteed paid leave—gets
all three as he needs it most.😐
Reposted by Mrs. D.
We're being told that if we sacrifice the rights of some people, then the rest of us get to keep our rights.
We all know that's some BS.
We all know that's some BS.
August 23, 2026 at 3:19 PM
We're being told that if we sacrifice the rights of some people, then the rest of us get to keep our rights.
We all know that's some BS.
We all know that's some BS.
Reposted by Mrs. D.
School meals should be free for everybody. Charging children to eat somewhere they are legally required to be for the entire day is crazy.
August 21, 2026 at 10:37 PM
School meals should be free for everybody. Charging children to eat somewhere they are legally required to be for the entire day is crazy.
"They’re remembered because they learned before judging, listened before leading, and earned trust before demanding influence."
"Every summer, first-year assistant principals walk into school wearing two invisible backpacks: one filled with expertise and the other filled with self-doubt," says leader Rachel Menta.
Here's her advice for steadying your confidence in your first year: www.edutopia.org/article/tips...
Here's her advice for steadying your confidence in your first year: www.edutopia.org/article/tips...
Easing Your Way Into a New Assistant Principal Role
A district administrator shares ideas on how to make your presence known, and also make a great first impression, without overstretching yourself.
www.edutopia.org
August 18, 2026 at 3:29 AM
"They’re remembered because they learned before judging, listened before leading, and earned trust before demanding influence."
Reposted by Mrs. D.
“We must oppose every form of alienation, liberate people from every kind of oppression, and denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist.”
—The Lausanne Covenant
—The Lausanne Covenant
August 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM
“We must oppose every form of alienation, liberate people from every kind of oppression, and denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist.”
—The Lausanne Covenant
—The Lausanne Covenant
Reposted by Mrs. D.
The important new data that prompted me to write on this topic again:
A ‘lost generation’ of teachers left the classroom. Schools are still dealing with the consequences.
Veteran teachers left, principals cycled through too, and high-poverty schools likely faced the greatest strain. Here’s what years of churn did to classrooms.
www.chalkbeat.org
August 8, 2026 at 2:15 PM
The important new data that prompted me to write on this topic again: