Hi Reader,

As you may know, I’ve been on the move this fall! Physically moving through nature and ancestral lands and across the globe has catalyzed deep learning, connection, and insight for me. Learning is also integral to social movements for justice. How did the forces of colonization and empire bring us to this particular moment – and how did social movements in other countries catalyze change amid authoritarianism? And what non-European knowledge and cultural understandings might enrich our possible futures?

Heady stuff, right? I once participated in an activity with other educators where we went around the circle saying the experiences we wished every child could have. We said things like a sense of belonging, connection to nature, wonder about the world, self-determination, success after struggle. One woman said simply: I wish every child could travel internationally. We all turned to look at her in surprise. It seemed at first – a little frivolous?

She explained that it’s only through stepping into the broader world that we can begin to truly perceive the incredible range of humanity. It also helps us see how we’ve been socialized to think of the US as the center of the world, something I catch myself in all the time.

Since then, I’ve thought about the power of stepping outside the country to understand how we are seen by the rest of the world as English-speakers from the U.S., to be humbled by not understanding the language or the norms about things as basic as crossing the street, using the bathroom (lol - I had to look up what that nozzle was for in Brazil!), navigating from point A to point B, or paying for a meal. To be opened to the breadth of human struggle and possibility, both the deep disparities as well as the creativity of young people and minoritized communities in realizing another world. I think of that educator from the circle with gratitude every time I am able to learn internationally, and I have added this to my dreams for all children. And while it was lovely to step beyond our nation-state borders for a bit, I’ve also been reminded that the dynamics of coloniality, anti-immigrant rhetoric and policy, and greed-driven autocratic power grabs are global.

Before I jump into a few highlights of my travels (with apologies for this missive being so long!), have you gotten Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts if so! I’d be especially grateful if you’d share a brief review on one of the typical platforms (e.g., Goodreads or Amazon)!

Here’s a fun Book Trailer with my co-author/co-editor Decoteau Irby:

Finding “Ibasho” in Japan

Ibasho is a Japanese concept that refers to a place of refuge or sanctuary, a place to connect with others, to find your identity, and “to come back to yourself.”

This fall, I gave my first academic talk in Japan about my new book, Doing the Work; visited beautiful places of "ibasho" for children navigating socioemotional/mental health issues (like the Hanamomo Center in Natori, Japan, pictured here); walked in the ancient footsteps of pilgrims, and bathed in the forest trees as we hiked the Kumano Kodo on the Kii Peninsula with a lovely group of mostly UU ministers and organizers. I gleaned so many lessons - of presence, of light in times of injustice, of ancestral connection to the lands and waters, and of spirit moving with a beautiful temporary fellowship, including a number of elders whose struggles and grace I came to deeply appreciate. Special thanks to new Tohoku University colleagues, my extended Miyashita family (who met up with me for a day in Ikebukuro on my way south), and my long-time friend Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons.

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“Ibasho” in WA alternative schools

The learning continued back home when I got to host Dr. Goto Taketoshi back in Seattle. We visited with committed educators, a number of whom were or are my grad students, leading schools dedicated to the success of truly all students. What a gift to learn how local schools are innovating with flexible schedules, co-teaching and project-based curriculum driven by student priorities and interests, and humanizing spaces and relationships (with other students, staff, and even aunties & uncles!) to help young people “come back to themselves” and realize their own agency and futures. Thanks, Highline Innovation Academy, Truman Academy, Nelsen Middle School, Seattle World School, and Interagency Recovery Academy!

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Measures that Matter with Village of Wisdom

With the Measures that Matter Collaborative, I had the honor of learning from the profound Black parent leadership and knowledge work of the Village of Wisdom in Durham, NC. Here we are on a history tour of Durham, on the steps of a National Historic Landmark at the Pauli Murray Center, where we learned about their ground-breaking civil rights activism, lawyering, educating, writing, and Episcopal priesthood (shout out to the National Park Service!). I left inspired by Dreamship parents making sense of data, creating Culturally Affirming Learning Environments, and strategizing with our district thought-partners about systems change. And it reaffirmed the idea that nobody does hospitality like they do in the South!
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Glimpses of other worlds in João Pessoa, Brazil

Decoteau Irby & I got to present Doing the Work to international colleagues at the 2025 World Education Research Association convening in João Pessoa, near the farthest eastern point in the Americas. We had enriching conversations with colleagues about global power and geopolitics, educational equity and Brazilian histories – and, because the convening was combined with a Brazilian educator conference, we also glimpsed conversations and learning that happen completely outside of the English-speaking world. It’s got me thinking about what might be possible if we could access the full wealth of human knowledges, practices, and ways of being in the world. To all those who welcomed & helped us navigate (including our buddy Gusthavo here): Muito obrigada!

Next up: UCEA in San Juan, Puerto Rico

If you are headed to UCEA 2025, I hope you’ll check out some of the sessions I’ll be part of there! This year’s conference theme feels especially pertinent to my work: “Fostering Leadership Resilience Through Collaboration and Community,” and I was surprised and humbled to discover that I’ll be honored with this year’s Linda Tillman Social and Racial Justice Award! I especially want to highlight our upcoming workshop on Early Literacy Collaborative Intergenerational Codesign with Black Families: 6 of us from our partnership are going to engage participants in codesign practices that center Sankofa and joy. Everyone’s welcome - it’s going to be a blast, so don’t miss it if you’ll be at UCEA!

Thank you for all YOU are holding and doing to realize a better world!

With love & solidarity,

Ann