Calm Before Me

  Series Eight: What Comes After the Dever? A Legacy Carried Forward The closing of Paul A. Dever Elementary School marks the end of an era—but it is far from the end of the story. When the doors close, what remains is not just memories or a building—it’s a legacy. A legacy built on community, resilience, and the unshakeable belief that every child deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated. Carrying the Torch The families, educators, and students who made Dever their second home aren’t just walking away—they’re carrying its spirit forward. Whether it’s in new schools, community centers, or future classrooms, the lessons learned at Dever continue to inspire. Parents who organized rallies are now advocates for education equity citywide. Teachers who nurtured students continue their mission in other schools. Students who found their voices at the Dever are growing into leaders determined to create a more just world. Lessons for the Future The Dever taught us that a school is more...

  🍁✨ A Heart Full of Gratitude — This Thanksgiving and Beyond ✨🍁 As Thanksgiving arrives, I’ve been taking a quiet moment to reflect on everything this year has brought into my life. It wasn’t a perfect year — but it was a powerful one. A year filled with growth, unexpected blessings, lessons that pushed me forward, and people who made every step meaningful. One of the greatest blessings I received this year was becoming the lead advocate at a school that didn’t just launch my educational journey — it launched my son’s as well. That place shaped us, supported us, and gave us a community that felt like a second home. And even though the school is closing, it will always remain a part of us. The hallways, the memories, the laughter, the late afternoons, the moments that tested and strengthened me — they’re permanently written into my heart. I’m grateful for the incredible people I met along the way — colleagues, parents, mentors, and friends who supported me, challenged me, and...

  Reflecting on Advocacy: A Journey for Educational Equity in Boston Public Schools📍 As I look back on my journey as a parent advocate within Boston Public Schools (BPS), I am reminded of the profound impact advocacy can have—not just on my life, but on the lives of countless families across the district. I’m not just a name within the BPS community; I am a beacon of hope, a tireless advocate, and a living example of what it means to stand up for what’s right in education. I am, first and foremost, a devoted mother to my son, Landen, a proud BPS graduate. I am also a loving partner to my boyfriend, T.J., and a fierce defender of educational equity. But what stands out most is my unwavering commitment to the children of BPS—especially the most vulnerable. Through my work—whether advocating for special education rights or leading the charge to Save the Dever —I’ve shown that parental love and determination can move mountains. My advocacy wasn’t just about protecting a building; it w...

  🌸 Our First Beautiful Year: Where Love Found Its Home 🌸 November 16, 2025 – One Year of Us Dear Sweetheart, One year. 365 days of laughter, growth, and love. Today, I celebrate you — us — and everything we’ve built together. Every ordinary moment is made extraordinary just by being with you. 💖 I can’t believe it’s already been a year. What started with a little uncertainty has grown into something rare — something honest, steady, and real. I still remember the first time we talked — that flutter in my chest. It’s only grown deeper, richer, more beautiful with every passing day. We didn’t know what the future would hold, but love bloomed — and it became ours. The trust we’ve built is the foundation of everything. I love what we have: safe, natural, ours. Brick by brick, heart to heart, we’re creating something enduring. With you, I feel at home.  We bring out the best in each other. We laugh. We grow. We show up. Even on the hardest days, we still choose us. 💖 You...

✨ My First Poetry Book Is Coming in Early 2026 ✨ From the first spark to forever, a love story captured in verse …and at its heart, it is a love letter to my boyfriend. I’m so excited to finally share something I’ve held close for a long time: my debut poetry book will be released in early 2026. This project is deeply personal—a collection shaped by love, vulnerability, growth, and the beautiful stages my boyfriend and I have walked through together. It tells the story of us: where we began, how we grew, and the strength we’ve built through everything we’ve faced. Our love is stronger now than ever, and these pages hold that truth. 💗 A Love Letter Told in Three Parts The book is structured around the evolution of our relationship: Part I: Becoming The spark. The curiosity. The first shift when two souls collide and everything begins to change. Part II: Belonging The safety, trust, and comfort that grow when you choose each other day after day. Part III: Forever The devotion, passion,...

  Turning Toward Thriving: How the Thrive Act Could Have Helped Dever Elementary — and Why DESE & BPS Missed the Mark! On Wednesday, November 12th , I have the privilege of telling the story of Paul A. Dever Elementary School in Dorchester — a story of struggle, rebuilding, and heartache, but also of resilience and community strength. In Massachusetts, the Dever Elementary story is a vivid example of both promise and pain. For years the school has been under state receivership for “chronic under‑performance.” BostonGlobe.com Now, Boston Public Schools (BPS) has recommended its closure at the end of the 2025–26 school year. BostonGlobe.com At the same time, the Thrive Act—pending in Massachusetts—offers a different model: equity‑centered, community‑driven, student‑focused, and less reliant on punitive measures. Putting Dever’s journey alongside the Thrive Act’s promise raises two key questions: What might have been different if the Thrive Act had been in place earlier? And ...