Keanna Funderburk is a fifth grade math, science and social studies teacher in Atlanta, Georgia. This year, of course, her classroom looks a little different, with half of her students learning in-person, and the rest from home: “My roomies and my Zoomies, as I call them.” Here, she shares her go-to curly hair products, the joy of magnetic eyelashes, and the accessory she uses to keep her students’ attention…
When school is in session, what does your morning routine look like?
These days, I just get up, get dressed, do my hair, and go. I have naturally curly hair, so at night, I protect it by putting it up in big twists. Then, all I have to do in the morning is undo those twists and separate my hair to revive the curls. It keeps my hair-styling routine pretty simple. I bring a little makeup bag with me to school, and I do my makeup there, before the kids walk in.
What’s your typical makeup look for work?
It depends on how I’m feeling that day — you know, ‘look good, feel good.’ But since I’m in a mask all day, I usually just focus on my eyes. I start with a pencil liner on my lower lash line, then my shadow, and then I use liquid liner to do a cat eye on my eyelids. Lately, I’ve been loving Tart’s Tarteiste Double Take Eyeliner, which has both pencil and liquid liner, and neither of them smudge at all. For shadow, I’ve been using Tarte’s Chrome Paint Shadow Pot, in Park Ave Princess, which is like a gold pressed glitter. Glitter sounds intense, but it’s not. It’s the pop I need to make me look awake!
I imagine this school year is more challenging than most. Are you teaching in the classroom part of the time and remotely part of the time?
I’m doing both, at the same time. It’s called hybrid teaching. I have what I call my ‘roomies,’ who are my in-person students, and my ‘Zoomies,’ who are my students at home. I teach two blocks a day, and there are 30 kids in each block — about half of which are in person, and the rest remote. I’m teaching them all simultaneously. So, I’m wearing two hats at once.
Wow! How do you keep the kids engaged — which you and with their classmates?
I’ve realized that the most helpful thing is having all the students on Zoom, whether they’re in person or not. That way, when we split off into groups to do projects and activities, the remote kids and the in-person kids can collaborate. So, even though half the class is at home, it still feels like we’re all together. I can still connect with all the students, and they’re still building that classroom community. That’s how we’re making it work, for now.
How are you managing the infamous Zoom Fatigue?
I’m just powering through it. On Mondays I feel recharged, but by Friday I start to get headaches. But I just think about my students. They spend two hours in the morning with me, and then another two hours with another teacher. And whether or not they’re at home, they’re all using computers — not just for Zoom, but because, in terms of infection prevention, it’s safer than having them exchanging lots of papers and sharing supplies. As teachers, we have to walk a fine line, because they’re safest using a device, but at the same time, it’s not the healthiest thing for them. I just try to shake things up as much as possible, mixing up the groups and introducing new activities. But at the end of the day, yeah, we’re still looking at screens for hours. Every day is really challenging.
I notice you also seem to put a lot of effort into having a bright, fun look in the classroom.
Yes, my accessories — especially my colorful glasses and my earrings — are kind of my staple as a teacher. My students always comment on my earrings, and they’re always curious which glasses I’ll wear on any given day. That’s kind of the teacher persona I’ve taken on, and I enjoy it. It’s just a little something the kids can look forward to. I get most of my glasses from EyeBuyDirect, and for earrings I have some go-to Etsy stores.
Can you share some of your favorites?
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with pom-pom earrings. Some of my favorites are from Heartland Designs, Filthy Hippie, Rozie June, and Sydni Makes. I try to choose earrings that feel positive, especially right now, and I like ones that seem a little non-traditional — something that will grab the kids’ attention. Sometimes I’ll also look through Instagram ads and think, ‘Hmm, would someone else buy that? Probably not.’ If I can’t picture anyone else wearing them, then I buy them.
When you’re not in your teacher persona, is your look very different?
I don’t wear my glasses on weekends. And, outside of school, I might wear more face makeup. There’s a new NYX blush I’ve been loving called Sweet Cheeks. And for liquid foundation, I love Pat McGrath. It works so well, but it’s expensive, so I don’t want to use it every day. Gotta save the good stuff for the weekends!
I also notice you tend to have multicolored manicures. Do you do them yourself?
I taught myself during quarantine! I used to get a dip powder manicure every three weeks. When the shutdown started, I tried press-on nails — but those just weren’t working. So, I bought a starter kit and an e-file on Amazon — both of which were super affordable and user-friendly. There are also tons of color options (I have about 30 now). The starter kit comes with step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow, and I also watched some YouTube videos. Now I can do my own dip powder manicures at home!
That’s so cool! Did you pick up any other new beauty skills this year?
Yeah! I also started experimenting with magnetic eyelashes. They’re fun to play with. I use Ardell Magnetic Lashes, which come with a magnetic applicator. They’re easy to use and stay on very well.
You have such amazing skin, I have to ask: How have you managed to conquer ‘maskne?!’
Ha! My skincare routine is pretty simple actually. I have super oily skin, and I’ve found that using a foaming face wash helps fight that. These days I’m using the foaming acne cleanser from Tula, a probiotic skincare line. Then I use the Cryo Activating Hydra Gel from 111Skin, which is a gel moisturizer. It works well with my skin, so I’ve stuck with it for a long time. Occasionally, I’ll put on a little rosewater before my moisturizer. I keep it pretty basic.
Let’s talk hair care.
My wash-day routine always starts with As I Am’s Coconut CoWash, a cleansing conditioner for curly hair. After that I use a deep conditioner. Right now I’m using the one from Miche Beauty. I’m not loyal to any particular brand, but one thing I’ve been using for years is SheaMoisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie, which is a leave-in product that helps define my curls. Then for styling, I use Curl Smoothing Pudding from Mo Know’s, and then finish with an Eco Styler gel, just to hold it in place. I typically do my hair on Sundays, and then I don’t really have to use any other products during the week. Occasionally, I might refresh it with some leave-in conditioner (I use Miche Beauty) if my hair starts to feel a little crunchy. But other than that, I don’t have to do anything until it’s time to wash it again.
I notice you’ve shared books about topics like Indigenous Peoples Day and racial injustice in the U.S. — which is both a historical issue and a very present one. How do you handle subjects like that with students? Did you discuss the protests this summer, for example?
My students are more and more conscious of what’s going on in the world, so sometimes they’ll bring it up themselves. And when that happens, I try to just let them talk. So I’ll say things like, ‘Oh, wow, I really liked what you just said. We also have to listen to this other classmate’s opinion too.’ You know? We don’t have to agree. I want my students to not be like the adults they so often see on TV or Facebook — who can’t even hold a conversation because they’re too busy arguing. So, I try to let them speak amongst each other, and then I make sure to offer praise when I see them doing it well.
Aside from beauty, do you have any other daily routines or self-care habits that you’ve found helpful this year?
Social media has always been a fun place for me. I always considered it a hobby, but during quarantine, it grew into something more. I had more time to rally connect with people on it — share ideas with other teachers, and check in and see how people are doing. I’m naturally inclined to worry, and the thing I love about social media is that if I ever share feelings of doubt, there’s always someone there to uplift me. And when people feed that positivity into me, I have more positivity to offer others. That’s what I try to share — the good stuff. We’re all human, and it’s not realistic to expect that we’re always going to be happy and life’s always going to be great. But in those hard moments, it’s nice to know that there are people out there who support me.
Thank you so much, Keanna!
P.S. More women share their beauty uniforms, including a comedy writer and ballet dancer.
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I wish y’all had linked her outfit details! I’m a 5th grade teacher in ATL as well & would love to rock some of Keanna’s tees – they’re too cute!
Junior high teacher in Michigan here and I was thinking the same thing! Dream Valentine’s Day gift would be someone buying me her teacher tees!
There are lots of nice ones on Etsy if you search for “teacher shirts.” Here is a cute Friends-themed one:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/874561419/teacher-ill-be-there-for-you-shirt?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=teacher+shirts&ref=sr_gallery-1-13&organic_search_click=1&pro=1&col=1
Loved seeing a teacher featured. I’m a teacher in New Zealand and I read Cup of Jo, especially the beauty uniforms. They’re refreshing and engaging. To all my fellow teachers out there, I’m thoughts are with you as we continue to navigate teaching in a different way than the norm.
God bless the teachers! They are doing an impossible job and getting no thanks either. And for her to look so adorable doing it? Bravo!
This woman is lovely, just pure sunshine! Her students are so lucky to have her. Thanks for featuring her.
Love this. I feel the same way. I do Elementry(pt) and I teach college and Ik there has to be a balance. I always want them safe and right now I create this outside the norm. People are quick to label us but we really do above and beyond than we have to. Again it’s our jobs , I think some forget that. Again balance is key. We are doing our best and it’s hard. Also I use a lot of her hair products they so on point ! As a black woman and a black educator this means a lot to see this ! That we are on the
Front lines but we are doing it the best we can and safely. We are here to teach and bring light to life as much as we can. This is a great example of someone doing just that.
What a teacher! What lucky students! I hope she represents many other irrepressible teachers whose dedication changes lives. Hurrah, too, for maintaining her self-care routines – so easy to forget how they boost us and how easy to forego during this time. As an added bonus, her accessories, such simple acts, bring so much joy to the classroom! Hats off to you.
She’s FANTASTIC! Her positivity is infectious!
Such a warm inviting smile. Love the glasses, the tortoise ones hubba hubba!! Definitely looking into the nail dip powder too. So many gems, thanks for sharing Keanna.
Loved this one, her happiness and positive outlook really radiate. LOVE the glasses, esp the clear frames!
Love her earring comment…if she can’t picture anyone else buying them, she will! Ha! Great minds think alike!
Cutest ever! I love your style and outlook!
I mean this as an ultimate compliment: You would be an AMAZING modern-day Mrs. Frizzle. They should give you a TV show. I loved those books so much, and the joyful vibe of your style reminds me of her (in a much more chic way of course).
You are radiating joy! And that #teach pic with the rainbow earrings — the cutest! I had a stressful conversation about ranking NYC pre-K choices for my 4-year-old today (what is this crazy school system??), and Keanna’s brilliance inside and out is exactly what I needed for a reminder that teachers are amazing and I can embrace the wonder of my little love going to school, no matter what that looks like.
I’m also a 5th grade teacher and so happy to see another teacher’s beauty uniform! This year has been hard-it is important to focus on small things that make the day fun for my students and myself-jokes, awesome accessories, shared stories and baby goats. I may have to get some pom pom earrings!
Keanna, thank you so much! I also teach fifth grade, and I’ve lost some of the joy lately. Seeing you here and having you represent teachers so beautifully is inspiring and really lifts my spirits. Thank you for your work and dedication. Thanks for the good press for partial quotients ;) Cup of Jo, thank you for highlighting this educator!
I loved this! My son is in 5th grade & it’s all Zoom. Keanna, you look like a super fun teacher & your style is A+!
she’s amazing and i loved seeing the math she’s doing on the whiteboard with her kids! as a 5th grade math teacher, i loved this profile!
Thank you for featuring a teacher! As a retired teacher, I know teaching during the pandemic is difficult.
Could she be more adorable?
Keanna, you exude sunshine in all your photos! You seem like such a fun and wise teacher, your students are so lucky!
After a little instagram deep dive of her and her boyfriend’s insta, can I just say, sob?! Such a gift of positivity — thank you!! *clicks follow* A wonderful reminder of what teachers are doing in our communities right now for our children.
Keanna sounds wonderful! I wish I was in fifth grade again and got to have her as a teacher! (Also, I’m sorry, but how amazing is the last name Funderburk for a teacher??!) Thank you for all you do Keanna!
That’s what I was thinking! Or can she be my coworker? She seems so bright and cheery! :)
this was such a great beauty uniform. Keanna is simply gorgeous, and her glasses-earrings-teacher t-shirt combos are fabulous.
Yay! I actually am starting my first official teaching job next week! This felt like a gift and made me even more excited!
That’s amazing, good luck and have fun!!
Our school system has been full hybrid all year. I’m full of gratitude for all educators always, but especially during this pandemic. Thank you for featuring such an inspiring teacher. This was one of my favorites.
I think this is my favorite beauty uniform ever! Keanna is so lovely and she just glows. I’m so grateful for our teachers–always but especially this past year (and I don’t even have kids!)
Love her glasses and her best accessory, her beautiful smile! I can feel her joy and care emanate through the screen, which I’m sure her students can, too!
So much joy coming through in these pictures! Thank you for teaching our children, they need you and we (as a society) need you. Also, we’re name twins! Just different spelling. So rare I meet another person with my name. :)
LOVE this post!!! Keanna’s luminous presence is just what I needed on this tough day. Keanna is smart, stylish, gorgeous and changing the world for the better every day as a teacher. I’m grateful for her hair care tips to share with my pre-teen daughter who looks just like — and has hair just like — Keanna (and super bonus to be able to share someone who looks just like my daughter who is a science teacher just like she wants to be!). Plus, I NEED that BLM T-shirt in ASL!!! Thank you for the gift of this post COJ.
Luminous, what a great word to describe her! I totally agree.
Ugh, the amazing way she is doing her job, the beautiful clothing, the amazing glasses, and her effortless incredible beauty! Thank you for the inspiration on this COLD day! Just spent 30 minutes on the web looking up glasses. Would love to know basically the info on everything she is wearing, lol! Thank you for teaching with patience and compassion right now!!!
Lucky, lucky students to have such a thoughtful, caring, and sunny teacher. I loved every word of this!
I just went on her Instagram and found it is from https://www.eastnashteacher.com/
I couldn’t find that exact shirt anymore, but they have some other really cute ones :)
Love her spirit and warm personality! She’s doing such good work in the trenches and working hard to make the best of it and uplift others. Thanks for a wonderful, inspiring article on a wonderful person!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful teacher!! Being married to a teacher and serving as public school administrator, I can testify that teachers are, by and large, the most selfless, positive humans among us. Hurrah for them – they deserve all the kudos 🎉🎉🎉🎉.
Keanna radiates beauty – love this!
Keanna, you seem like a wonderful teacher and you are a beautiful person. Thanks for all that you do in the world!
Where can we find all of these amazing teacher shirts? It’s so hard to find ones that aren’t too…much.
love the tortoise shell glasses! Oh my gosh are they cute!
Can you share the link to them?
Everything about this post was wonderful. She seems like a ray of sunshine and has the the luminous skin to go with it.
Great beauty uniform! And I love Roomies and Zoomies- what Keanna does with her students is actually a great remote working strategy. Of course right now a lot of people are fully remote anyway but when we get back to normal-times, if you have a company which is part in an office and part remote (my company is like this- about 50/50) get everyone to be on their own Zoom account for meetings- it makes a world of difference for everyone who is joining from outside the office!
Love all the t-shirts and the fabulous pom pom earrings! Keanna, you seem like an amazing teacher; wish I had a teacher like you in fifth grade!
Love everything about this and her. I always think it’s so special when you can feel/sense someone’s positive energy through a post like this. Thanks for the good vibes. :)
I would love to know also-it’s fantastic!
Seeing this today made me so happy, because I’m a teacher too. I love her style (I’m about to go try to find all those tshirts) and her positive attitude. Thank you for this post!
Such a beautiful and bright woman! Thank you, Keanna! I know my kids would love a teacher like you!
Keanna , you are so pretty! And, more importantly, you seem like a wonderful person and a fantastic teacher, I’m sure! I have SO much admiration for the teachers who are doing the heroic work of teaching and nurturing our children in these trying times. Stay safe!
Omy gosh, that she is actually *teaching* kids how to communicate about controversial subjects rather than lecturing them on the issue: A+++. I don’t even have children and I wish I could send her an award for that. That and using fashion to uplift her students lol. Perfection.
couldn’t agree with you more!! knowing how to talk compassionately and productively with people you disagree with is exactly what the world needs
Yes!!!! Loved that as well. My son is in 4th grade and his teacher seems to be just expressing her own opinions, so I am trying to teach him to listen to everyone and understand both sides of a topic or argument.
I love her joyful outfits!
Thank you for featuring a teacher!! As a fellow teacher myself, I feel seen. XO
What a radiantly beautiful and lovely person! Makes me feel deep comfort knowing that people like Keanna are the teachers of our future :)
I love these posts but coulduld you do a beauty post from people who are sensitive to fragrances or scents (both synthetic and natural)? I’m allergic to all kinds of scents now and it’s incredibly hard to find products or even just information about how to avoid scented products (unscented can still mean there are natural ingredients that have a fragrance that can cause skin sensitivities!)
yes, great idea! thank you, J.
omg this may be TMI, but I found that a lot of yeast infection creams have “fragrance” as an ingredient. But hello, that’s what can cause it!
Yes please! I was diagnosed with eczema in my 20’s and fragrance in beauty products (especially hair products) is my number one trigger. I finally feel like I have a good routine down with products that work and aren’t too expensive, but this routine took me YEARS to finesse! You’d be amazed at how many products that are “sensitive” still contain fragrance.
I’m allergic to “fragrance” too!
Interestingly, my oerfume doesn’t affect me but g5air products and cleansers….wham!🤯
I sometimes wonder what the Food and Drug Administration is actually for. So many of these ‘fragrant’ chemicals are known carcinogens and just generally toxic to our sensitive neurological system.
Uplifting, aww-inspiring, amazing!!!!!! 💕💕💕🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Look for the helpers, right?! Loved reading about this peach. What a radiant person, inside and out. You’re killing it Keanna!
Can we all write to our representatives and tell them to give state school systems funding for a teacher Pandemic bonus as part of the next stimulus package? These teachers are taking on soooo much extra work! And then also pay them more forever.
We need more people in this world like Keanna!
First, I’d like to thank her for teaching our kids during this crazy time.
Second, her bright and optimistic personality is so sweet and lovely.
Third, she’s stunning in her inner and outer beauty.
I feel so inspired by how she’s managed to be a source of happiness, light, and maturity for others. In a time where I tend to blame a lot of social ailments on social media, she is challenging me to how social media can be a fun support system. Love this post!!!
Agreed! So refreshing to hear her upbeat perspective on social media.
Wow – I hope my daughter ends up with a teacher as awesome as Ms. Funderburk when she starts school next year!
Teachers forever! Loved this
Such a beautiful, genuine smile in every picture!
What great style Keanna has! Really fun and cool. Her kids are so lucky to have her as a teacher! Love the pom earrings and leopard skirt-tee outfit. She’s gorgeous!
Oh my goodness, she is so delightful!!!
She just seems fantastic, style and personality. Lucky kids.
Keanna, I have to ask, because you wear glasses and a mask to school, what mask did you find that doesn’t fog up your glasses?
I’m not Keanna but just wanted to share my recent discovery: I use clear medical tape to tape the top of the mask to my face. It’s the only thing that has worked. Life changing! Just wish I’d figured it out sooner than Month 11, but oh well!
would love to hear generally how people are wearing glasses with masks these days!! Everything I have tried to prevent fogging ends up making it super hot under my mask. So tired of sweat developing on my upper lip every time I don’t have time to put my contacts in.
The glasses wearers in our family love the masks from Stark’s Vacuums (starks.com). They have a strip of fabric across the bridge of your nose that prevents fogging. The adjustable ear loops are also really nice.
I am a teacher and I want all of those T-shirts! Pretty please?
Great glasses shape for her face! I feel so envious, I try on a billion glasses and none of them look cute or enhance my look.
Loved this so much, and HUGE kudos for teaching 5th graders in hybrid format, I’m doing it with a bunch of 20 and 30-something executive MBAs and it is difficult enough to manage!
What a beautiful smile!! Also, roomies and Zoomies…sharing this with my daughter (second grade teacher).
LOVE your style, Keanna!!! Thank you for sharing it with us — your earring game is so incredible, it’s inspiring me to give it a try!!
What a beauty, in and out!!
Teachers deserve so much credit right now and always. Keanna, your commitment and energy and your sensitive approach to helping your students navigate the world and respect each other and listen and share is inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story. You are lovely inside and out. Fantastic style, and that bright lipstick on you in the 3rd picture!!!
Hooray for Ms. Funderburk! What amazing style and positive vibes. This was such a wonderful feature! I’ve been working from home observing my 2nd grader being taught remotely for 10 months and have seen firsthand how much we need to value and pay teachers for their extraordinary work. Would love to see more Black educators featured on Cup of Jo! <3
What an incredible and beautiful educator <3 Also love that shirt in the last pic – can you share where it's from? :)
I love it, too! Just googled it and found it on Etsy (if you search “black lives matter sign language” several different sellers come up).
Love! You can tell she is the type of person who brightens people’s days. Thank you!
Those pink glasses are fabulous! I also ADORE the Pat McGrath foundation and save it for special occasions because it’s so pricey. But seriously amazing.
wow, has anyone else tried this for nails? I am not talented for things like that and I need at least two people to confirm this is easy before I buy the set. But would love to do it on my own.
Most of my friends, both my parents, and most people in my life are teachers. The hybrid classroom life is HARD. Keanna, way to GO on your positive attitude. Your students will remember this season as a crazy adventure instead of a full-on slog. And they’ll remember all the things you taught them, especially about things like civil discourse! We are all so grateful for you and the things you do. Love from Texas xoxo
I love the joy and intentionality she brings to the classroom. How lucky her students are to have her!
(As a fellow curly girl, I also appreciate the hair advice.)
Keanna seems so *effortlessly* cool! What a wonderful spotlight, CoJ! And keep up the good work, teachers :)
PS: just curious how certain people are ‘discovered’ for Beauty Uniform posts. Is it friend-of-a-friend or is there a fair amount of IG stalking involved? ;)
We scout in a bunch of ways — some Instagram stalking, some friends, some authors/scientists/etc that are doing something cool, etc! There are SO MANY AMAZING WOMEN out there xoxo
I was JUST about to ask the same thing!
Thank you for featuring a teacher! Such a hard (but rewarding) job. And thank you for your work Keanna! Your students are lucky to learn with you!
Omg you have the BEST smile!! I bet your students love you. Brb ordering some pink glasses!
You are beautiful Miss Funderburk…lucky kids to have such an engaged human being to help guide their learning and their lives in this new paradigm.
I love her sunshiney look, her gentle way of letting students explore tough topics and build their thoughtful muscles. Our teachers are amazing and deserve so SO much more given what they’ve gone through this year. <3
As a fellow teacher, I salute you! It’s tough this year! I am teaching high school full-time on a physical campus. It’s so hard to have those fantastic conversations while wearing masks and distancing (not to mention the anxiety of being around a lot of people every day). However, we are making it work!
Keep it up and take the best care of yourself that you can. Love the glasses!
Gosh I love everything about Keanna, her beautiful smile makes me smile!
Thank you Keanna, and all of the teachers, for what you do. Love your beauty uniform. Your students are lucky to have you!
YAAASSSS! Thanks for featuring a teacher!!! They are truly amazing and have dealt with so much this year.
Yay Teachers!! As a middle school teacher trying to avoid Zoom fatigue, I loved this little moment of lift! Keanna is clearly a fun teacher who loves her job and her students. She’s made me want to buy some pom pom earrings too. I appreciate Cup of Jo featuring one of us!
I Love your t-shirts ! I think teachers, around the world deserve a good raise, they have given sooo much more than usual and were kind of expected to do so. I teach on line but adults, which is so different (and no zoom, it’s all written form, like a blog in a way) i have many teachers as students and they are so brave and exhausted. And what do they do in their free time ? They study a Master or PhD! I look up to them.
Ok, she’s the cutest person ever! I wish she was my kids teacher!
WOW, did not know hybrid teaching was a thing. What a bad ass! And to look that great while doing it? Amazing. Loved this so much.
LOVE seeing an educator featured here!!! Keanna you are gorgeous and a real “teacher persona” inspiration :)
although i have loved every single beauty uniform (no, seriously, all of them. it’s like when you get to take a peek at someone’s grocery cart, you know? and you’re just like “ahh, ooooh, good call, yes yes i also love powdered donuts”) – this one is the first one that seems like *exactly* what i would wear on a daily basis! and she just motivated me to get a 3rd pair of glasses.
Keanna looks like an amazing teacher. Would have loved a Keanna in my life as a grade schooler. She oozes excitement and energy for her calling in life. Good teachers rock! I’m guessing her fun style is a hit with her students. Thank you, Keanna! We need more inspiring teachers like yourself.
Wish I was in your class, Keanna! (I’m 60:)) Your students are lucky.
i love all the teacher tees and the effort you put into your students right down to your style choices! and then that you do more for you on the weekends- it’s really inspiring to see! thank you for all that you do and for sharing with us!
Really enjoyed this one – especially the note of teaching children to interact and converse without devolving into arguing, even when they disagree. (Admittedly easier with that age level since they proooobably don’t yet have opinions that complete negate other folks’ existence.)
Where can I find that sign language Black Lives Matter shirt?!
there are lots of them on etsy! just search “black lives matter asl”
Here you go!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/879819760/black-lives-matter-asl-sign-language?ref=cart
Thank you!! :)
I’m going with this one instead since the proceeds go to the NDBA: https://peachiespeechie.com/collections/black-lives-matter-hands/products/black-lives-matter-hands-tri-blend-tee-t-shirts-tops-by-peachie-speechie
I am here just to say Wow! Keanna is a human ray of sunshine! How lucky her students are to have her. Also, the ASL BLM t-shirt is the best thing ever!
I LOVE that Teacher shirt from the first picture, would you mind sharing where she got it?
Keanna is a DELIGHT! Kudos and thank you for serving kids so well in this super tough time. Her smile is infectious :) :) and I am so tempted to try these magnetic eyelashes
I went to check out the magnetic lashes and the link brought me to the regular type that requires adhesive. Ulta also sells the magnetic one’s if you search. Hopefully the link gets corrected so people don’t get disappointed if they order though the link and the wrong product arrives.
I love this Beauty Uniform installment! Can’t wait to check out those haircare recommendations.
yes, updating now, thank you!
Love this interview, especially the hair care recommendations!
Yes! I have wavy (2a) hair and also love the AsIAm coconut co-wash!
Keanna, loved hearing about your teaching philosophy and loving your style, too. How cute was the outfit with the polka dot skirt and “teach” t shirt!
She is awesome. Also, best last name ever!
Thank you so much for highlighting a teacher! I also teach in the hybrid format, and I love the terms “roomies” and “zoomies.” (Why didn’t I think of that??)
thank you for all you do!
Meg! My husband is going back into the classroom in two weeks (for the first time in a year!) and he will be doing hybrid, too. How do you find it? My poor, sweet husband is tremendously nervous about keeping both the roomies and zoomies engaged and learning. I wish I could make it easier for him!
Would love to hear more about that experience, too! Our teachers were opposed to it over concerns of feasibility, but I’m hearing more success stories from those who have gotten accustomed. What do you think?
Thank you for the “thank you,” Joanna! (Teachers live for those.)
Una and Ashley: Hybrid teaching is certainly a juggling act. (I sometimes have to tell my students, “Hold on a sec… I’m juggling!”) The good news is, lessons that engage students online will still engage the students who are actually in the room. It can be tricky to pay attention to both groups, but we have managed to have class discussions, book clubs with small groups, conferences for writing feedback, etc! Kids are so adaptable. My advice is to start simple, basically the same as remote, and just try one new technique every week. And Una, your sweet husband will get the hang of it in no time!
Roomies and Zoomies! I love it! What a fun personality—thanks, Keanna, for all you are doing for kids.
roll model!
She is so darling! My son’s in 5th grade so I understand completely. Going to buy myself a mini version of the eyeliner as a treat.
I’m so impressed with Keanna as a person and educator persisting- creatively too- during this impossibly difficult time. Wow. Thanks for sharing a bit of her story and life. It was a window into the challenges teachers face today.
Oh and also- great beauty tips too!
Loved this post. Teacher here too and I loved Keanna’s positive energy in this post. Could she share her outfit details in particular her awesome Tshirt in the last picture and her Homebody sweater?
second! would love the tshirt and the leopard skirt details
She’s stunning! Her skin, her hair, her spirit ♥️ Such a refreshing and encouraging post. Thank you COJ.
I love your glasses, your t-shirts, and omg how much cheery positivity you emanate! Thanks for this from one teacher to another!
I must know where the leopard print skirt is from, please!
What a fun interview! But….am I the only one confused by the long division on the white-board? Did they change math??
Fifth grade math is not what you remember!! I’m needing lots of YouTube help to help my fifth grader with division, especially!
haha, schools changed they way they taught long division about 10 years ago. Now kids learn the Partial Quotients method which I believe she’s using on her board in this photo. Better for the kids, super confusing to parents/caretakers who grew up with the old school method. :)
The numbers on the right are the number of times 24 is going into 657. The key to the way she’s written it is that you don’t need to figure out the MOST number of 24s that fit, just a number that fits. So for example the first number shoes 10 24s going in, and subtracts 240. It’s a much more intuitive way of doing division, and allows kids to arrive at the right answer in multiple ways. At the end you add up those numbers on the right side and that’s your answer.
They did! I think because of common core (I am not American so I think this is what it’s called?) It is supposed to make it simpler for students but it made absolutely no sense to me! I feel for parents who basically need to re-learn math to help their kids.
Haha! My 4th grader is doing virtual school this year and whenever he asks me math questions I have to explain that I have no idea how he is learning it, but I can show him the way we learned it 30 years ago!
OMG, I sat there, trying to do that math and just. could. not. LOL My daughter’s only in first grade, so thank goodness I’m not there yet. (Though my husband and I were chatting the other day and we think eventually we won’t be able to help her with her math and she probably won’t need help. She’s smarter than both of us combined.) :)
That said, LOVE this post. The glasses, earrings, her beauty routine and her big SMILE. Thank you COJ!
Just want to say THANK YOU for everything you are doing, teachers are HEROS!!!!
I really appreciate this sentiment, but as a teacher myself, I really struggle with the hero rhetoric. I think it allows us to continue to be underpaid. We are lauded for spending our own money on supplies or for working outside of contract hours, but the hero narrative doesn’t actually change things for us, it just normalizes this type of exhaustion and exploitation. And then if I complain about being underpaid or set boundaries with my work, people accuse me of “hating my students” or being a bad teacher because I won’t spend my money on crayons (sorry, not sorry!). I mean, we’re seeing this during the pandemic…. “wow, teachers are such heroes, they’ll die for their students, they’ll continue teaching even from the ICU”. This HAS to stop! I am not your martyr! I love my job but it’s also a job, I need a fair income and fair work hours. Sorry, Lindsay, this wasn’t directed at you, just a general frustration I have. Thank you for the support, these are stressful times indeed.
I hear you R – I feel the same way when people tell me moms are heroes right now. We don’t need capes, we need structural support!
But I also totally get the sentiment of calling someone like a teacher a hero… what you’re doing is heroic ( in part because you’re doing it in the face of complete lack of support). But we can’t let that excuse the lack of support!
R, Honestly, all teachers, all nurses and docs should be in the streets, now, with the rest of the citizens, to ask for more financial support from governments. No heros, I agree. People need to protest!
What a gorgeous human being inside and out! Thank you for featuring a teacher, CupofJo.