Future Plans and Belly Buttons

When I got off the plane and saw my kids, I cried. Three weeks away from them was hard. As difficult as it was, this work is worth it. My passion for literacy, global connection, and equity in education continues to drive me—not just for my students, but for my children too.

In Peru, we learned powerful lessons about history, humanity, and resilience. We talked about the good, the bad, and the ugly in Peruvian history, acknowledging the communities, peoples, cultures, and languages affected by conquest, colonization, slavery, and migration, including the Inca and other indigenous groups, enslaved Africans, and immigrant communities from China and Japan. We reflected on the lasting effects of racism and discrimination on Peru today and how these issues affect everyday people and students in schools.

Despite Peru’s divisions (economic, racial, linguistic, and social) we saw many people building resistance and fighting for a more equitable society.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to explore ways to bring my students in Maryland into this global conversation, connecting them with the incredible students I met in Peru. As I begin my second year in the doctorate program in literacy at Salisbury University, I’m eager to dive deeper into literacy research and continue building connections with educators across the country. I can’t wait to see how these experiences will inspire my teaching, spark meaningful conversations, and empower my students—and my own children—to understand, respect, and engage with the wider world.

At the heart of it all is a lesson that has stayed with me. During our time in Peru, the head of Fulbright shared something she learned as a child: “I have a belly button, and everyone else has a belly button. It’s how we are all connected. It reminds me of my humanity.”

I hope my own children, and every student I work with, grow up in a world where we remember the simple truth that we all have a belly button—a reminder of our shared humanity. A world where connection, empathy, and compassion guide the way we live, learn, and teach.

Teddy and Millie welcoming me home to BWI with their llamas, Violet and Sunny.