When grief derailed me, my students knew what to do
After a friend dies, I ask my students to be gentle with me. And they are. Because they know these early, impossible moments so well.
How a teacher connected with a student through plants
A student was grappling with the relapse of his mother. His teacher hoped taking care of plants brought him comfort.
Commentary: Another student was fatally shot outside school. Make it stop.
After the fourth fatal shooting of a teenager on or near school grounds this school year, teacher Kerry Graham writes: “Our city must change. Children are dying. Unnecessarily. Violently. Often.”
Students know when something is wrong with their teacher
Teacher Kerry Graham remembers when a student could tell that she was not OK — and she didn’t pretend that she was.
Poetry lesson reminds teacher of her own ‘dream deferred’
My students share stories of the dreams they set aside. I wasn’t expecting them to make me question my own life choices.
Taking a pause instead of adopting New Year’s resolutions
Instead of resolving to make self-improvements, I just need to let myself be.
Teacher overload: Why it’s sometimes hard to connect with students
Sometimes even when teachers care deeply, it's hard to find time to connect with students.
What losing my brother taught me about grief: Take the advice that works, leave the rest
Advice on how to cope with grief is rampant during the holiday season. Do what’s best for you.
When my student finally spoke
Teacher Kerry Graham remembers when a student who rarely spoke in class came to her one day with a surprise message.
A teacher’s prayer — via Zoom
What happens when a student asks a teacher: “do u believe in god?”
Teachers are leaving the profession in droves. I’m scared of the catastrophes that lie ahead.
Our public education system cannot sustain this amount of stress. It scares me to imagine the catastrophes that might be ahead.
Life lessons in the classroom: when the student becomes the teacher
Teenagers shouldn’t need to bury one another. Yet when they do, they handle each other with such tender care.
Why summer vacation is a necessity — and not a luxury — for teachers
Teaching is an exhausting honor. Summers off ensure I can do it over and over again.
I don’t like to cry in front of students. But I’m not just a teacher, I’m human.
Sometimes, life hurts, whether or not the bell is about to ring.
Teaching is hard. Moments like these keep me going.
High school english teacher Kerry Graham, a creative in residence for The Banner, writes about the ups and downs of being an educator in Baltimore City Schools.
I waited to become a teacher, and it’s better for my students that I did
Now teaching is a part of my identity.
A lifelong reader’s favorite library branches in Baltimore
I’m an outspoken advocate for Baltimore, in part because of our historic library system. Enoch Pratt provides for all of our city’s residents.
There aren’t enough books for the students
And so I learn to teach in a way I was never taught to learn.
Long hours, no respect: One teacher’s cry for help
This frustration bordering on panic, or maybe dread — my reaction to not being heard — is how I’ve felt since the pandemic began. I’ve taught high school English in Baltimore City for over a decade; every year, it seems educators cry louder for help
High school students reflect on another school year during the pandemic
As the school year ends, Kerry Graham's high school English students talk about being back in school this year vs. last year's remote learning.