iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Many schools have hit the point they're using coaches/admins as subs because there are no other warm bodies. Subbing isn't the same, but it is at least closer. Even being in classes during my time in high ed, I feel like what I returned to is. Nothing like what I left. Post-covid is different.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I did a study U was super proud of on the research that teachers actually wanted/needed Couldnt get it published. I honestly don't know if education research matters anymore. Working in K12 again, I realize that only publishers matter.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I think every teacher ed faculty needs a sabbatical every 8 years to cover a short term leave. It is a different world from when I left k12 to rentering. Staying involved wasn't enough.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

There are too many people in teacher ed who are too far removed from teaching and being a teacher outside of higher education to actually have a freaking clue on what teaching is.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

That's a good description.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

We had a win, I just couldn't hold on any longer. I am so happy for my sibs. It's bittersweet.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

So proud of you all. I know the hard work and the benefit of organizing another Illinois campus. I am sad I never got to see the work in contract, but I am so thankful my friends who stayed did. May your organizing be healing.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Union organizing was the only part of higher Ed that I don't regret.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

My ice machine broke. It's such a stupid first world problem, but it was an appliance that brought me joy. Now to find one that makes the good crunchy ice.

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Reposted by Stef G-W

Jer Thorp @jerthorp.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

If you're a data viz person and you're looking for a creative kickstart, why not look to the birds? Bird data is as fascinating as it gets, huge in scale and changing every day. It's also profoundly important as we face an uncertain ecological future. Best of all, you can make it yourself!

Visualization of every bird counted in a year in Orange County, Florida

Visualization of every bird counted in the Brooklyn Christmas Bird Count

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I hope the world holds us accountable, though I have doubt accountability will be taken.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I have students living in terror about coming to school because they are witnessing masked agents ransack neighborhoods, pull people from cars at gas stations, and pull parents from children as they drop kids for schools. This is America.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Every time I have asked for help professionally, it has backfired. How stupid am I to not learn?

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

If Dolly's memorial service isn't on 9-5 or 9-25, I'm gonna be disappointed. #DollyParton #9to5

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

My former place of employment is fighting with the lab school union on whether or not the disability service providers (HILIA) are actually part of the bargaining unit. It sets a tone for how much they actually disrespect disabled students. #Redbirds #Ableism

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The worst part of being a teacher is the reality that if you stay in it long enough, you are going to attend funerals of children who should still be in your classroom.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I sought one out and the few sessions I had were good, but I couldn't afford the rate. Academic trauma is a very different type of trauma

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I feel this. I had teaching awards the year I was rated as ineffective. My disability is my field. I can't get away from it and it makes me hate myself more when it used to be my advantage.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Also, I'm happy for you to finally see progress

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

If it takes a decade to even begin to see myself, I will have missed both my kids' entire childhood.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

There was a point in my life that I was absolutely hilarious and full of joy. Teaching and academia crushed that out of me. I don't think there is enough therapy in the world to get my joy back from the way trauma changed my brain. It sucks because I probably have years left to live this way.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I have been back to school since July 27. Students returned August 10. Tomorrow marks 10 days. I have seen students less than 2 hours in 10 days because my job requires so many hours of IEP management.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Has anyone ended up in a better place of employment after years of trauma? I am so broken I can't see the value I used to have.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Every day the pile of evidence for how useless my education and experience is grows taller.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

It's gonna get a lot worse. The goal is to make education for the privileged only

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

The state has made teacher unions useless.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I was offered a job as a licensed teacher of the deaf at a rate less than what a para makes and requiring me to live away from my kids 5 days at a time. We really have no value as people outside of compliance paperwork.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

My #2 is everything we want to say out loud but keep in our head. She is the reason I keep a quote book.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

8 yr old: Mom, do you want to share my Skittles? Me: sure 8 yr old: Here. You can have the purple. I don't really like them. #MomLife

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Thanks for sticking with me.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Such a cool story psyche.co/videos/birth...

psyche.co

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I have tried to convince myself that I didn't ruin our lives by leaving my toxic workplace and seeking a greener field (which failed and threw us into a wasteland)... But I have too much evidence that we are now all miserable instead of just me being miserable. That's a hard pill to swallow.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I looked up one of the professors I adored most in my college life. She frustrated the hell out of me, but yet was one of the best teachers I had. She's a realtor now. I hope she is happy because the reality of all education lost when it drove her out hit me so deeply.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I don't know if it's more draining to: A)constantly have to fill out forms with my resume information that was submitted B) to realize that I really am pigeonholed career wise. C) Write cover letters that no one reads because AI kicks me out of the applicant pool

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Also, when I returned on the surprise day on Friday that was on 1/3 of those calendars, I discovered there is no more desks/office for me in the area I didn't really get to use. We will find out where we are based once everyone else has their choice.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

There is a printable district calendar, a district clickable calendar, and a calendar via text. All have different days to report. I have no idea which is right.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

PLEASE --> If your kid is going to wear amplification at school, save them the mental overwhelm by easing back into wearing them!

static.klipy.com

Cat Kitten

Alt: A cute kitten looking totally overwhelmed.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

It is a completely #overwhelming sensation to go from muted or silent world to full amplification, especially full amplification in a school environment (with or without HAT attached!)

static.klipy.com

Happy Good: Voices Again

Alt: Phoebe from Friends "I can hear the voices in my head again"

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The first day of school at 100% amplification with 100% usage after not having them on for weeks IS EXHAUSTING and FRUSTRATING.

static.klipy.com

Friends: Joey Tribbiani's Loud Reaction

Alt: Friends: Joey Tribbiani's Loud Reaction

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

As a reminder to families with #Deaf or #HardOfHearing children who use #CochlearImplants, #BAHA, or #HearingAids: If your kiddo has not worn their amplification all ⛱️ 🗓️1-2 weeks before school starts is a great time to SLOWLY transition them into wearing them again.

static.klipy.com

Hearing Aid Fitting

Alt: A blonde female putting in a hearing aid

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I should have played Tetris my entire time in academia 😬

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

School starts this week or next here. It's miserable. Anxiety started in June.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

I can't remember the last time I associated it with a positive emotion (with the exception of 2024-- I was stoked for the new start in PA...)- the year my entire career fell apart. Now I just have dread and depression, which is an improvement over terror/fear pre-2024

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

#Teachers: What is your emotion going back to school each year? Excitement? Anticipation? Anxiety? Depression? Resignation? Joy?

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

My daughter loves the saxophone she got for her birthday. I'm really excited for her, but also... I love being able to take out my hearing aids.

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Stef G-W @stefgwalsh.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

My heart goes out to the 🇨🇦Canadians, especially those of First Nations who are dealing with this devastating wild fire. The smoke here in Indiana is awful. I can't imagine how horrific it is there with the additional loss of land, home, and resource.

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