Dear Ethical ELA Community,
Thank you.
Your steadfast support, thoughtful engagement, and shared passion for ethical and inclusive English language arts instruction have shaped this site into what it is today. Ethical ELA is not just a blog; it’s a living, breathing community, one that thrives because of your voices, insights, and unwavering commitment to teaching as an act of care and justice.
This year, 2025, marks 10 years of Ethical ELA. Did you know that most blogs, including educational ones, don’t make it beyond their first few years? To have reached a full decade—unfunded, ad-free, and freely accessible to all—is a testament to the power of collaboration and the collective belief in the transformative work of education. Together, we’ve shared over one million views, tens of thousands of comments, and countless poems that have resonated with teachers around the globe.
To honor this milestone, we’re inviting you to be part of a special celebratory series: “Tens of Reasons to Teach: Celebrating 10 Years of Ethical ELA.” Starting this spring, we’ll feature weekly Sunday inspiration blogs written by you—our cherished community of educators and thinkers.
Submission Details
- Deadline: Please submit your blog to Sarah (sarah.j.donovan@okstate.edu) by March 1, 2025.
- Guidelines: Follow the attached template to help craft your piece.
- Focus: Honor what you know, believe, and practice about teaching, and inspire others to take ethical action in their classrooms.
- Sign up here as your agreement to contribute: https://forms.gle/H9XZHNF5rn9PtKwu5
This series is a celebration of the knowledge, creativity, and dedication that has made Ethical ELA a site of support for teachers everywhere. Let’s honor the past 10 years by sharing the wisdom and practices that will guide us into the next decade.
We can’t wait to read your reflections, strategies, and visions. Thank you for making Ethical ELA a space that continues to live and thrive in the world.
With gratitude,
Sarah J. Donovan
Key Theme Ideas for the Call for Posts
“Top 10”: Share 10 strategies, texts, or practices they swear by for ethical and inclusive ELA instruction.
“Then and Now”: Reflect on how your teaching philosophy or practices have evolved over the past decade, particularly regarding ethical approaches.
“10 Words of Wisdom”: Craft a 10-word mantra or guiding principle, followed by a short explanation and practical example for classrooms.
“Vision for the Next 10”: Offer (hopeful) predictions or aspirations for ELA teaching and ethical instruction over the next decade.
“10-Minute Lessons or Strategies”: Share activities, prompts, or mini-lessons that teachers can use immediately to foster engagement and inclusivity.
“A Decade of Impact”: Highlight how Ethical ELA influenced your teaching or inspired you to make meaningful changes in your practice.
Possible Blog Template
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rG9jdWeGJ0pSRSdxUU4rAlvDQi69IvLVoV5Rgrq5CNs/edit?usp=sharing
Title of the Post: (Reflective, engaging, and concise title. Example: “10-Minute Poetry Breaks: Building Empathy Through Verse.”)
Section 1: Who I Am (50-75 words): Introduce yourself briefly, including your teaching role, location, and years of experience.
Section 2: What I Know and Believe About Ethical ELA Instruction (100-150 words): Reflect on what you’ve learned about ethical and inclusive teaching.
Section 3: My “10” Contribution (200-250 words): Provide a list, story, or explanation tied to the “10” theme.
Section 4: Try This Tomorrow (75-100 words): Offer a specific strategy, prompt, or resource that readers can immediately implement. This post will go out on Sundays and should offer teachers something to try in their classroom that week (grades 6-20).
Section 5: Closing Reflection (50 words): Share a brief message of encouragement or insight for fellow educators.
Optional: Include a Link, Resource, or Quote: If relevant, share a resource link, favorite quote, or text recommendation.
Headshot- Picture
50 word bio
This curated series not only honors the blog’s past but also projects its vision forward, engaging the community and celebrating shared growth in ethical ELA teaching.